John Bradbury

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: Westminster Foreign Bank, London

Died: 21 January 1942

John Edwin Bradbury was born on 26 April 1920, the only son of Edwin James and Felicienne Bradbury. He was educated at Harlow College and joined the staff of Westminster Bank at its London Cannon Street branch in October 1937. In November 1937 he transferred to the bank’s Lombard Street office and in April 1939 he moved again, to Westminster Foreign Bank, based in Westminster Bank's London head office.  

As war began to look likely in the late 1930s, Bradbury joined the Territorial Army (Artists' Rifles) in order to be ready to serve his country if required. War broke out in September 1939 and Bradbury left the bank to go on full-time military service, becoming an officer in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He served in Norway and was later posted to Iceland. 

On 21 January 1942 Lieutenant Bradbury and a group of about 70 of his men were caught in a sudden blizzard while on a routine march. Eight of the group died of exhaustion and exposure, including Bradbury himself who, according to his commanding officer, lost his life as a direct result of his 'unselfish and heroic action' in trying to ensure the safety of his men. He was 21 years old.