Private Frederick Arthur Bradley
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Above left is Frederick Bradley at the time of his conscription and on the right he is aged 11. Photographs are courtesy of Michael Bradley and the Bradley Family.
Private 5773563 F.A. Bradley
The Royal Norfolk Regiment.
Died 27th May, 1940,
Aged 21.
Inscription - "Nearer, My God To Thee."
Son of Charles Guy and Edith Gwendoline Bradley of Custom House, London.
The Royal Norfolk Regiment.
Died 27th May, 1940,
Aged 21.
Inscription - "Nearer, My God To Thee."
Son of Charles Guy and Edith Gwendoline Bradley of Custom House, London.
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History: Courtesy of Massacre and Murder in Le Paradis by William J Sharpe and the Bradley Family
Fred Bradley was born in 1919 in Berwick Road close to the Victoria Docks, London. His father, Charles Bradley, had been a docker and it was expected that Fred would go into the docks ‘on his father’s ticket’ when he reached the age of 21; until that time he had taken a job in the gasworks.
Fred had two older sisters, Grace, and Rose, and four older brothers, Charlie, John, George and Jim. A year after his birth another sister, Elsie was born. The whole family of ten lived in three rooms on the upper floor of 2, Berwick Road.
Berwick Road was a very tight knit community and it was common for people in that area at that time to marry others from the same road.
Fred’s mother, Edith had lived next door at No. 4, his father, Charles Guy Bradley came from Mortlake Road a few streets away.
In January 1926, Fred’s father, Charlie, was killed in an accident at the docks. With little or no compensation at that time Edith was left to bring up eight children alone.
Fred, being the youngest boy, became very close to his mother’s oldest brother, George, who lived next door.
The family situation improved when, in 1939, sister Grace married a young docker, George Winnel and moved to 4, Berwick Road the upper floor of Grace’s maternal grandparent’s home. Rose had married a young ship repairer, Bill Corbell, and moved to 48 Berwick Road. The oldest brother also married and moved to 12, Berwick Road. The remaining five children still lived at No 2. With all in work they could help their mother financially.
At the age of 20 Fred was in regular work which enabled him to go to Upton Park to support West Ham United and in the evening to go to his club in Berwick Road or ‘if flushed’ to a dance at Canning Town Public Hall. He was also a regular supporter of West Ham Speedway and occasionally had a flutter on the greyhounds.
As the situation worsened in Europe in March 1939 Fred found himself among the first of the 200,000 twenty-year-olds to be conscripted into the new militia and was posted to the Royal Norfolk Regiment.
During January 1939 Fred was joined in A company by Bert Pooley
Fred Bradley was born in 1919 in Berwick Road close to the Victoria Docks, London. His father, Charles Bradley, had been a docker and it was expected that Fred would go into the docks ‘on his father’s ticket’ when he reached the age of 21; until that time he had taken a job in the gasworks.
Fred had two older sisters, Grace, and Rose, and four older brothers, Charlie, John, George and Jim. A year after his birth another sister, Elsie was born. The whole family of ten lived in three rooms on the upper floor of 2, Berwick Road.
Berwick Road was a very tight knit community and it was common for people in that area at that time to marry others from the same road.
Fred’s mother, Edith had lived next door at No. 4, his father, Charles Guy Bradley came from Mortlake Road a few streets away.
In January 1926, Fred’s father, Charlie, was killed in an accident at the docks. With little or no compensation at that time Edith was left to bring up eight children alone.
Fred, being the youngest boy, became very close to his mother’s oldest brother, George, who lived next door.
The family situation improved when, in 1939, sister Grace married a young docker, George Winnel and moved to 4, Berwick Road the upper floor of Grace’s maternal grandparent’s home. Rose had married a young ship repairer, Bill Corbell, and moved to 48 Berwick Road. The oldest brother also married and moved to 12, Berwick Road. The remaining five children still lived at No 2. With all in work they could help their mother financially.
At the age of 20 Fred was in regular work which enabled him to go to Upton Park to support West Ham United and in the evening to go to his club in Berwick Road or ‘if flushed’ to a dance at Canning Town Public Hall. He was also a regular supporter of West Ham Speedway and occasionally had a flutter on the greyhounds.
As the situation worsened in Europe in March 1939 Fred found himself among the first of the 200,000 twenty-year-olds to be conscripted into the new militia and was posted to the Royal Norfolk Regiment.
During January 1939 Fred was joined in A company by Bert Pooley
Above - Frederick Bradley's great nephew Michael Bradley pictured at his grave in Le Paradis Cemetery. On the right Joy Smith lays a British Cross of Remembrance. Photographs courtesy of Michael Bradley and Nick Smith.
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In Autumn 2024 Michael Bradley made a pilgrimage to Le Paradis and sent us the following images on his return. They include the family's tribute to all those who died in the area and who are unknown.
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