BRADLEY, W.H. (Bill) (of Retford)

Royal Fusiliers

Born 1892 Died 1983

Former Retford magistrate and Labour Party secretary, worked locally as chief booking clerk at Retford station from 1938 until his retirement in 1957.

Military Career

Enlisted in 1915 in the 26th Royal Fusiliers, Bankers Battalion and saw action in France and Belgium, taking part in the offensives at the Somme and Ypres.  He transferred to the newly formed Tank Corps as a second driver, but in 1917 was invalided out.  from then until his demobilisation in 1919 he saw service in Southern Ireland.

In the Second World War Mr Bradley served in the Home Guard from its inception to its disbandment.  He was one of the few men representing the Nottinghamshire Home Guard to take part in the victory parade through London.

Biography and Subsequent Career

Mr Bradley was born in Glossop, Derbyshire in 1892.  On leaving school at the age of 14 he started work with the Great Central Railway, his first wage being 5s a week.

In 1910 his family moved to Babworth near Retford in Nottinghamshire.  His railway career took him to Gainsborough, Brigg, Chesham (Bucks.) before he joined the army in 1915.

Following 'de-mob' Mr Bradley returned to railway service with the Metropolitan and G.C. Railway, holding positions in Grimsby, Bolsover, Brocklesby and Gainsborough.  In May 1928 he was appointed chief clerk at Loughborough, and ten years later held a similar position at Retford.  He retired from the railways in June 1957.

He was made a Magistrate in February 1947 and became chairman of the local juvenile bench.  He was also secretary of the Retford Labour Party and of the OAP Association.

He died in July 1983 aged 91 and is buried at St.Saviour's Church, Retford.

(Information from The Retford Times 4.3.1966 and 29.7.1983)

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