Tag Archives: 2855 Cpl John Bradle

2855 Cpl John Bradley a miner from Alfreton

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A pre-War Volunteer and Territorial who re-enlisted into the 5th (Reserve) Battalion in October 1914. Arrived in France in February 1915 and was killed during the Battle of Loos.

Many thanks to Cathy Bryant – who was John’s great granddaughter – for kindly sending the photographs

John serving with the 1/5th Battalion. The picture on the left is probably pre-WW1, whilst the picture on the right is likely after he re-enlisted into the 5th (Reserve) Battalion in October 1914 and was promoted to Corporal in December 1914

Pre-War Service

John (standing on the left) appears to have served with the 4th (Nottinghamshire) Volunteer Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regt.

Note the 4th V N&D cloth badge on his right shoulder (example shown below) and the 3-tier ‘T 8 Notts & Derby’ badges that some of the other men are wearing. This post card was sent to his wife Lucy in Alfreton from Hindlow Camp in 1910.

Re-enlistment into the 5th (Reserve) Battalion in October 1914

John’s attestation into the 5th (Reserve) Battalion in October 1914 in which he states that he had previously served with the 5th Battalion for 4 years. Presumably at some point after 1910 John transferred from the 4th Volunteer Battalion to the 5th Territorial Battalion.

John was promoted to Corporal in November 1914 and signed the Imperial Service Obligation in January 1915 whilst the 5th (Reserve) Battalion in Swanwick. John was subsequently transferred to the 1/5th Battalion in February 1915 and proceeded with the 46th Division to France on the 1st March 1915.

Attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt during the Battle of Loos:

(see here and here)

War Diary entry for the 14th – 15th October recording their attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt. The Battalion suffered 5 men killed and 42 wounded. Amongst the men killed was John Bradley.

Trench map showing the Hohenzollern Redoubt

Casualties suffered by the 46th North Midland Division

John’s body was not recovered after the War and he is Commemorated on the Loos Memorial to the Missing