'The Late Captain Bradbury'

From the series 'Victoria Cross Heroes' published by W D and H O Wills, 1915.

After attending Marlborough and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, Edward Kinder Bradbury (1881-1914) passed out to join the Royal Artillery as a second lieutenant in 1900. He was promoted to full lieutenant in April 1901 and in January 1902 was seconded for service with the 31st Battalion of the Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer War (1899-1902). On his return from South Africa he joined the 127th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. In 1914 he was serving with 'L' Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, when he won the Victoria Cross (VC).

On 1 September 1914, during the retreat from Mons, German cavalry attacked the British 1st Cavalry Brigade at Néry, south of the Forest of Compiègne. The commander of 'L' Battery was knocked unconscious by a shell and, in his absence, Bradbury brought three of the battery's six 13-pounder guns into action against 12 German guns on nearby high ground. Two British guns were immediately hit but the third, served by Bradbury and Sergeant David Nelson, continued to fire.

When Battery Sergeant Major George Dorrell joined them, Bradbury went to fetch more ammunition, but was mortally wounded by a shell. Dorrell and Nelson kept firing until their ammunition was spent, having accounted for three enemy guns. As British reinforcements arrived the Germans withdrew, abandoning most of their remaining guns. Five officers and 42 men of 'L' Battery were killed or wounded at Néry. Dorell, Nelson and Bradbury (posthumously) were all awarded the VC.