Bradford, George

2793B Private George Bradford 12th Battalion AIF

George Bradford was born in Jarrahdale WA in 1885 to John and Sarah Bradford. He was one of several children with John (1882), Ada (1888), Herbert (1890) William (1893) and Hilda (1896).

After George's birth the family moved from Jarrahdale to Fremantle and set up residence at 119 Hubble Street East Fremantle (now called 59 Hubble).

George was educated locally in Richmond/East Fremantle and after leaving school he took up employment with the local WA Brushware Company which was located nearby in Duke Street East Fremantle.

George tried to enlist into the Australian Imperial Force in 1915 but was knocked back due to defective teeth. However he tried again to enlist in Fremantle on the 18th September 1916 and was this time accepted though it was noted that he needed dental treatment. The medical examiner recorded George's physical attributes as;

Height - 6 feet 1 inch tall;

Weight - 154 lbs;

Chest Measurement - 37-39 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Fair.

After his successful enlistment George was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp and was assigned to No.87 Training Depot. He had a few weeks learning the basics of infantry work and then on the 11th November 1916 he was assigned to the 6th Reinforcements to the 44th Battalion.

George trained with this group for the next several weeks and finally their embarkation orders came through. On the 29th December 1916 George and his group entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Persic. After a long sea voyage the ship arrived at Devonport Harbour England on the 4th March 1917.

George and his group were disembarked and sent to the 11th Training Battalion at Durrington Camp on the Salisbury Plains. As his brother William was in France serving with the 12th Battalion, George managed to wangle a transfer to this unit.

He was transferred to a details camp at Sutton Mandeville and then to Larkhill Camp. On the 22nd May 1917 George left England and proceeded across to France. He had a few weeks at the 1st Australian Division Base Depot at Le Havre and then joined the 12th battalion on the 15th June 1917.

George had joined the 12th Battalion about a month into their three month break from the front line so the next few months were taken up with training and sporting activities. During this time he would have also been able to see his brother William and other brother Herbert who was serving with the 11th Battalion.

In September 1917, the 12th Battalion began their move back to the front line, heading into Belgium. They were about to take part in the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 19th September 1917 the 12th Battalion were in preparation for the Battle of Menin Road which was to take place the following morning. John was wounded during the action when the Germans sent over gas shells.

After treatment at the Field Ambulance John was sent to the 10th Casualty Clearing Station. He was then sent on an ambulance train to the French town of Rouen where he was admitted to the 9th General Hospital. After a few days here George was sent to England on the hospital ship Panama.

On arrival in England George was sent to Northampton War Hospital and he would spend the next few weeks as a patient here. On the 18th October 1917 George was transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield. George only had four days here and was then well enough to be released. He was then sent to No.1 Command Depot Camp at Sutton Veny. After a few days he was sent to No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth.

Due to the gas poisoning George's fitness level was downgraded so he was not yet ready to return to France. To exacerbate matters George developed influenza and so would remain in England for the next few months.

By the 14th February 1918 his health had improved and he was transferred to the Overseas Training Brigade Camp at Longbridge Deverell. He spent the next month here and on the 13th March 1918 was sent to France.

George was initially sent to the Australian Infantry Base Depot at Le Havre and rejoined the 12th Battalion on the 19th March 1918. The 12th Battalion were then situated south east of Ypres Belgium.

On the 21st March 1918 the Germans launched their large breakthrough on the British front further south in France. As a result the Australian Divisions in Belgium were sent south to the Somme to help stop this German advance. The 1st Australian Division was the last of the Australian divisions to leave Belgium and had trained down to Amiens when they received orders to return north immediately as the Germans had just launched another attack which had broken through the front that had just come from.

By the time the Australians had returned north the Germans had made large gains and the 1st Australian Division along with British units helped stop their advance around Nieppe Forrest and Hazebrouck. From April to July 1918 the 12th battalion would be in the sector around Merris and Meteren.

There was much patrol activity plus small scale attacks which took vital ground back from the Germans. George came through this time period safely though he had been in the thick of the action.

In early August 1918 the 1st Australian Division was sent to the Somme sector and rejoined the other Australian Divisions. On August 8th 1918 the Australians, British and Canadian Armies launched a large assault which broke through the German lines. The 1st Australian Division were not involved on the first day but followed up the attacks on the 9th and 10th August 1918. The 12th battalion being involved around Lihons. For the next five weeks the 12th Battalion was constantly in action from Proyart, Chuignolles and on September 18th at Grand Priel Wood near Jeancourt. This would turn out to be their last attack of the war as after their successful assault, the 12th Battalion was withdrawn for a well deserved rest. George had come through the last five weeks unscathed.

The 12th Battalion were then sent for several weeks rest and when the Armistice was announced on the 11th November 1918 they were still out of the front line area. After the Germans withdrew back to their own borders, the Australians went into what had been German occupied parts of Belgium and France.

George remained with the 12th Battalion till May 1919 when the unit was dissolved. On the 28th May 1919 he returned to England and was sent to No.1 Command Depot Camp to await being assigned a berth on a troopship home. On the 18th July 1919 George went aboard the transport ship Takada and set sail for home. George arrived in Fremantle om the 29th August 1919.

After arriving home George went to No.8 Australian General Hospital for some medical treatment.

George was discharged from the AIF on the 24th January 1920.

On January 1st 1920 at St John's Church in Fremantle George married Elsie Tait Middlemas. It was reported in the West Australian newspaper that;

A military wedding of much interest to a large circle of friends was solemnised on January 1, 1920, at St. John's Church, Fremantle, between Miss Elsie T. Middlemas, of Fremantle, and Mr. George Bradford of East Fremantle.
The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Canon Moore. The bride entered the church on the arm of her brother, Sergt Major Middlemas, M.M. (late of A.I.F.). who gave her away, looking very dainty in her wedding gown of white crepe-de-chene, with panniers of bridal lace and semi-transparent sleeves, this, with a tulle veil (kindly lent by a friend), caught up with orange blossom, and carrying a beautiful bouquet of white roses and fern, completed her toilette.
The bridesmaids were Miss Hilda Bradford( sister of the bridegroom), and Miss Dora Lewis (niece of the bride). Both looked, well in cream crepe-dechene with black tulle hats, and carried lovely bouquets of cream and pale pink roses tied with the bridegroom's colours, and, Miss Dulcie Bradford (niece of the bridegroom) looking very sweet in her cream silk dress with pretty black hat, carrying a basket of red carnations and fern. The bridegroom, who was a member of the 12th Battalion, wore his uniform, and was supported by his brother-in-law (Mr. E. A. Taylor), who also wore the uniform of the Siege Brigade (late A.I.F.). 
At the conclusion of the ceremony a reception was held at the East Fremantle Town Hall, the guests being received by Mrs. Lewis (sister of the bride) wearing biscuit coloured silk with hat to match, and Mrs. Bradford (mother of the bridegroom) in black crepe-de-chene with black hat. After hearty congratulations had been extended to the happy couple, about sixty guests sat down to an enjoyable wedding tea, the decorations being carried out in blue and white, the bridegroom's battalion colours, with a large wedding bell hanging overhead. The usual toasts were honoured and dancing and singing was indulged in to a late hour. During the evening Mr. and  Mrs.  Bradford motored to Mundaring, the bride travelling in a smart costume of fuji silk and hat to match. Many handsome and costly presents were received, including presents from Mr. C. Bethell. Perth, and the W.A. Brushware Co., and numerous friends.

Photo of wedding party below

A son George was born in 1921, a daughter Betty in 1925, and Patricia in 1930.

After the war George continued to work at the Brushware factory in East Fremantle as a wood machinist, with the family living at 179 Holland Street Fremantle and then 120 Forrest Street.

George Bradford died in Fremantle aged 80 on the 25th June 1965 and he is buried in Fremantle Cemetery plot Anglican MON A7 0377.