Lives of the First World War

1918

The local newspaper carried a report of George Hubert Bradley’s life and death. “Soon after returning to his duties at the Front First Class Air Mechanic George Herbert Bradley (22) son of Mrs Fred Bradley, Newlands View, Thongsbridge, sacrificed his life in the national cause. Quite recently - only five weeks ago - he was over in England. A member of a party of about 16, George Herbert crossed the channel in an airship and landed in the South of England. When he reached his home in Thongsbridge he was in the best of spirits, looked in the pink of condition and appeared none the worse for his expeditious passage to the old country. After a few days amongst his relatives and friends he went back full of confidence and hope, looking forward to the future when he might come back for good. Hence it was a great shock to his mother to receive by post a message from one of his comrades stating that her son had been killed by a hostile bomb, adding the appreciation ‘He was always a good, willing fellow, highly respected by his chums and myself.’ When hostilities commenced, George Herbert Bradley was a weaver in the employ of Messrs Jas Watkinson and Sons, Bridge Mills, Holmfirth and was also a member of the local Territorials. Therefore, he had been with the Colours since the beginning of the war, being one of the local volunteers who were mobilised on the memorable August Bank Holiday of 1914. Two months later he left Doncaster a framed soldier, although not yet 19 years of age. After being in the trenches for a lengthy period he came home and passed the test for the Royal Air Force, going back to France in July last year. As a boy George attended Netherthong National School being one of Mr Jackson's old scholars, and he was also a scholar of the Thongsbridge Sunday School. In whatever company he moved he made friends and his loss is keenly felt. His elder brother, Private Arthur R. Bradley on the D.L.I. has been with the colours over two years and is at present on active service.”

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