Hermies British Cemetery

Historical Information (Source: CWGC)

Hermies village was seized on the morning of the 9th April 1917, by a surprise attack of the 2nd and 3rd Australian Infantry Battalions. It was held against the advancing Germans on the 22nd March 1918, by the 17th Division, but evacuated on the following day; and it was retaken in September 1918. It was later "adopted", with Havrincourt, by the County Borough of Huddersfield. The cemetery was made in April-December 1917, by fighting units and Field Ambulances.

 

There are now over 100, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified and a special memorial is erected to one soldier from the United Kingdom, who is believed to be one of them. Eight graves in Rows A and B, identified as a whole but not individually, are marked by headstones bearing the additional words "Buried near this spot". The cemetery covers an area of 731 square metres and is enclosed by a low brick wall.

 

Served with

  • United Kingdom (81)
  • Australian (26)

Served in

  • Army (106)
  • Air Force (1)
Hermies BC-Hermies Hill BC
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VICTORIA CROSS

Brigadier General Roland Boys BRADFORD _ Cdg. 186th Inf. Bde. General Staff

Died 30 November 1917

Secondary Unit, Regiment: late 2nd Bn. Durham Light Infantry

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Awards: Victoria Cross, Military Cross, Three times Mentioned in Despatches

Bradford London Gazette
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Citation

An extract from "The London Gazette," dated the 24th Nov., 1916, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and good leadership in attack, whereby he saved the situation on the right flank of his Brigade and of the Division. Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford''s Battalion was in support. A leading Battalion having suffered very severe casualties, and the Commander wounded, its flank became dangerously exposed at close quarters to the enemy. Raked by machine-gun fire, the situation of the Battalion was critical. At the request of the wounded Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford asked permission to command the exposed Battalion in addition to his own. Permission granted, he at once proceeded to the foremost lines. By his fearless energy under fire of all description, and his skilful leadership of the two Battalions, regardless of all danger, he succeeded in rallying the attack, captured and defended the objective, and so secured the flank."

Grave Reference: F.10.

(Source: Wikipedia)

 

Two of his brothers, Lieutenant-Commander George Nicholson Bradford and Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford, also died in service.  His brother, George Bradford, was also awarded the Victoria Cross, making them the only brothers to be awarded the medal during the First World War.

 

Lieutenant-Commander George Nicholson BRADFORD, VC

Second Lieutenant James Barker BRADFORD, MC