Thomas BRADLEY

29 December 1916

AUSTWICK - On Leave

Pte. T. Bradley, second son of Mr. T. Bradley, Wardsgarth, has been home from the Front on 10 days' leave. Pte. Bradley enlisted in January 1915, in the Royal Warwickshire Regt., but afterwards transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He went to France in July 1915, and has seen almost 17 months hard fighting (especially in the recent Battle of the Somme). Pte. Bradley is in the best of health and very bright and cheerful.

24 August 1917

AUSTWICK - PTE. TOM BRADLEY SEVERELY WOUNDED

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bradley, Wardsgarth, have been informed that their third son Pte. Tom Bradley, Machine Gun Corps, was wounded on July 31st in the fighting around Ypres. He is now in the 2nd Western General Hospital, Lily Lane, Moston, Manchester. He is suffering from a gunshot wound in the head, and his condition has been very critical, but in a letter to his parents on Monday he writes very cheerfully, and adds that he is going on very nicely. He is 23 years of age and enlisted on the 31st December 1914 in the Warwickshire Regt., but later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.

He went to France on the 27th July 1915. Prior to enlisting he was employed by Barrows, Ltd., grocers, Corporation Street, Birmingham.

09 November 1917

BRADLEY - November 3rd 1917, aged 24 years, Private Thomas Bradley, third son of Thomas and Elizabeth Bradley, of Wardsgarth, Austwick.

09 November 1917

AUSTWICK - DIED OF WOUNDS

It is with regret that we record the death of Private Thomas Bradley, Machine Gun Corps, third son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Bradley, Wardsgarth. Pte. Bradley, who was 24 years of age, enlisted in December 1914, in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He went out to France in July 1915. In July 1917, he was seriously wounded in the head and side of the body. He was brought to the General Hospital, Manchester, and in August was transferred to the Bolton Infirmary. Up to a few weeks before his death hope was entertained for his recovery, but a sudden relapse terminated fatally on Saturday last.

Pte. Bradley was very highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him, and one whom the village should indeed be proud of. He was educated at Long Preston and Austwick Schools, and was employed as a grocer, having served his time with Messrs. T. D. Smith, Lancaster. Prior to enlisting he was an assistant for Barrow Ltd., grocers, Birmingham. The heartfelt sympathies of the people of Austwick and district are extended to Mr. and Mrs. Bradley in their great loss.

A letter has been received from the matron of the Infirmary, and it testifies as to Tom's character.

The interment took place on Wednesday afternoon at Austwick and was very largely attended. Mrs. J. Moss officiated at the organ and played 'O rest in the Lord' as Voluntary. The Rev. A. C. Sutcliffe (Vicar) conducted the service. The Dead March in 'Saul' was played as the corpse was borne out of the Church. The coffin, which was covered with the Union Jack and many floral tributes, was borne to its last resting place by six of his former school friends.

Wreaths and floral tributes were sent by the following:- Father, Mother, and Brothers, Jack and Elsie, Cyril and Mary, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley (Hellifield), Annie, Albert, Ellen and Mary, W. Dawson and Family, Mr. and Mrs. Armitt (Bolton), Rev. J. W. Bridgman (Bolton). From wounded comrades, sisters and nurses at Bolton Infirmary, Mr. T. Jones, doctors and matron at Bolton Infirmary, Mr. and Mrs. Hallam.

We will give a photograph of the deceased next week.

16 November 1917

AUSTWICK

We are able this week to reproduce a photograph of Private Thomas Bradley, Machine Gun Corps, third son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Bradley, Wardsgarth. Private Bradley, who was 24 years of age, enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in December 1914. He went out to France in July 1915, but in July 1917 he was seriously wounded, and died in Bolton Infirmary on November 3rd.

18 January 1918

SETTLE UNION - RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL: Letters from Bereaved Families

A letter was read from Dr. F. E. Atkinson thanking the chairman and members of the Council for their Motion of sympathy passed at their last meeting at the loss of his son. He added that the loss of such a son to him and his family would be a life-long grief, but the knowledge that he had been fighting to give peace and liberty to the world was helping in enabling them to bear their heavy burden. One could only hope that the war would be so ended that he and the thousands who had died like him would be satisfied because their sacrifice had not been in vain. - A letter was also received from Mr. T. Bradley, a member of the Council, thanking the members and officials for their expressions of sympathy and regret in his recent bereavement.

01 November 1918

BRADLEY - In loving memory of a dear son and brother, Private Tom Bradley, who died from wounds received in action November 3rd, 1917.

Cover my defenceless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.

From Father, Mother and Brothers, Wardsgarth, Austwick.

31 October 1919

BRADLEY - In loving memory of a dear son and brother, Private Torn Bradley, who died from wounds received in action November 3rd, 1917.

"Greater love hath no man than this -
That a man lay down his life for his friends."

From Father, Mother and Brother, Wardsgarth, Austwick.

05 November 1920

BRADLEY - In loving memory of a dear son and brother, Pte. Tom Bradley, who died from wounds received in action, Nov. 3rd, 1917.

"Which I have loved long since and lost awhile."

From Father, Mother and Brothers, Wardsgarth, Austwick.