George Bradford
George Nicholson Bradford VC was an officer in the Royal Navy and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. His brother, Roland Bradford, was also awarded the Victoria Cross, making them the only brothers to be awarded the medal during the First World War.Early life
Bradford was born in Witton Park, County Durham, on 23 April 1887 to George Bradford and Amy Marion Andrews. He had three brothers, Thomas Andrews, James Barker and Roland Boys, all of whom served in the First World War. He attended Barnard Castle School.Bradford was 30 years old and a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy during the First World War when he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 22/23 April 1918 at Zeebrugge, Belgium, when in command of the naval storming parties embarked in. He died on 23 April 1918, his 31st birthday, committing the act for which he was awarded the cross. The citation for his Victoria Cross read:
, in Belgium
Two of his brothers, Brigadier General Roland Bradford and Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford, also died in service. His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.
