Frederick Bradford

Bank: London County & Westminster Bank

Place of work: London Old Street branch

Died: 1 July 1916

Frederick Reith Campbell Bradford was born on 21 July 1896, the first child of Archibald Campbell Bradford, a bank worker, and his wife Clara Sophia. He had eight younger siblings.

Bradford was educated at Bancroft's School and St Saviour's College, Ardingly, where he was a serjeant in the school's Officer Training Corps. In February 1914, when he was 17 years old, he followed his father into banking, going to work for London County & Westminster Bank. Seven months later, in September 1914, he left his post as a clerk at the bank's London Old Street branch to join the Royal Fusiliers. He served in Malta, Egypt and Gallipoli before being transferred to France. Early in 1915 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, remaining with the 4th Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers.

Bradford was killed in action in France on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Somme campaign. He was 19 years old. His body was never recovered; he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing.

Frederick Bradford is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest Moorgate branch.

Leave your message of remembrance

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Messages of remembrance

Helen Finch June 26 2016 7:02PM

Frederick Bradford is my great uncle, the much loved older brother of my grandmother Jean Bradford. On Saturday 2nd June, 100 years and a day since he died, I and some of my siblings and cousins and I will be walking to St Mary's Church in South Woodford to pay our respects remember him. Thank you for remembering him too. If you ever want any more information about Frederick please feel free to contact me.

Nelson Wan July 02 2016 10:46PM

Hello Helen. My name is Nelson Wan and I'm a 22 year old currently living in London. Yesterday I took part in the National Theatre's #wearehere project in remembrance of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. Each participant was representing a soldier who died on that day, and I was representing Frederick. I marched silently through London, wearing Frederick's uniform, and handed out cards with his name and regiment on. I found this page after searching the details of the card I was given. I can only hope that my presence yesterday and that of the other young men served as a fitting tribute to your great uncle Frederick and the other brave soldiers who died in the war.

Helen May July 04 2016 9:56AM

Remembering Frederick. My maternal Uncle.

Helen Finch July 04 2016 9:21AM

Hello Nelson I am incredibly touched by your message. Thank you so much. I thought the #wearehere project was such a moving and fitting memorial when I read about it, and it is really wonderful that you were there representing Frederick. I will let my family know, and I am sure they will all feel the same. Very best wishes and heartfelt thanks to you. Helen

Mary Woolliams July 04 2016 6:02PM

Thank you Nelson for representing our great uncle. It is very much appreciated.

Mary Finch July 04 2016 9:34PM

Thank you very much, Nelson, for representing and remembering Frederick on Friday. It means so much to me and to all our family.

Patrick Taylor July 05 2016 9:22PM

Thank you Helen, for pointing us here. Thank you Nelson, for representing Frederick and your kind words. Thank you Great Uncle Frederick, for your sacrifice.

NatWest Group Remembers team July 11 2016 10:51AM

Many thanks to Helen Finch for kindly providing additional information which we've used to expand Frederick Bradford's biography above

David John Garrard April 12 2017 1:06PM

Frederick Bradford was my uncle. My Mother Margaret was his sister. We remember with thankfulness the sacrifice of he and all others who laid down their lives for our freedom. Time has passed but the memories remain. Thanks for the availability of this website.

Viveca Dutt June 5 2018 12:34PM

I am a member of the Trustees of the Memorial Hall at South Woodford, next to St Mary's Church Woodford where Frederick Bradford is remembered.

On October 8th this year we are presenting a reflection of Woodford's War Dead from WW1 by telling the stories of some of those commemorated on the war plaque in the church. Frederick Bradford is one of those we have chosen. While researching information about him we came across this website and saw these messages from his relatives. We would love to invite any of you to the presentation, and maybe take part on Frederick's behalf. If you have any more information about him we could use as well that would be great as well. If you would like to be involved or want more information about what we are doing, please use the send us an email link on this page as the Bank have kindly agreed to put us in touch.