| Bradley | Robert William | | Lieutenant | BRADLEY, ROBERT WILLIAM, Lieutenant, was born 26 January 1874, only child of Commander W H Bradley, RN. He was educated at Harrow and Sandhurst, and joined the Army 7 March, 1894, as a Second Lieutenant in the South Wales Borderers. He was promoted Lieutenant 14 November 1896. In the South African War he served as Station Staff Officer 10 June to 7 July 1900, and afterwards as Garrison Adjutant, Klerksdorp, 8 July to 8 August 1900; as Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion of his regiment 10 January 1900 to 31 May 1902; was present in operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including actions at Karee Siding, Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal, May and June, 1900, including action near Johannesburg; operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, August to 29 November 1900; operations in Orange River Colony, June to August 1900; operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; awarded the Medal with three clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "Robert William Bradley, Lieutenant, South Wales Borderers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He became Captain 11 December 1905; was Assistant Instructor, School of Musketry, January 1903 to January 1906. He was an Officer of a Company of Gentleman Cadets, Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, January to August 1913, and Commander of a Company, August 1913 to October 1914; became Major 27 September 1914. Serving in the European War, 1915-18, he was Temporary Lieutenant Colonel, Machine Gun Corps, from September 1914 to July 1917; graded as AAG, while employed on special duties, Machine Gun Corps Training Centre, July to September 1916. He was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel for his services 1 January 1917; was Temporary Lieutenant Colonel, Tank Corps, July to November 1917. His chief amusements were shooting, fishing, riding, cricket and golf. Lieutenant Colonel Bradley married (1st), in 1898, Dorothea Lilias (died 1908), only child of Lieutenant Colonel A H Bircham; (secondly), in 1910, Eleonora Kathleen, daughter of Right Reverend John Lloyd, Bishop of Swansea.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | South Wales Borderers |
