- Bradford Brothers - WW1 VETERANS FROM THE MAINE AREA By Anna Kousky
Left to right: Winnfield, Eric, Harold, Martin
Family Background: Thirty years prior to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, Martin Byrne Bradford married Lola Jane Barney in Eastport, Maine on April 24th, 1882. From their marriage 18 children would be born, with four of the 18 serving in WW1. Martin and Lola spent their time in Eastport working at the McLean Sardine Factory. In 1892 employment opportunities surrounding the developing canning industries in Canada caused the Bradfords to relocate from Eastport Maine to Beaver Harbor, and then finally to Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick. There the Bradfords’ loyal, hard-work ethic made them valuable workers, and they earned a very modest living working for the Connors Brothers canning company.1
Martin Bradford, although eventually moving to Canada, had a rich family history within New England: his 5th great grandfather was Gov. William Bradford (one of the founding settlers of plymouth colony).2
THE BROTHERS:
Cpl. Harold Lester Bradford 3 Born: 28 October 1884 in Eastport, Washington Co., Maine;
Served with: 115th Battalion and 26th Canadian Infantry Battalion; Regimental Number: 742701
Died: 4 December 1957 age 73, from a heart attack, buried in Oak Bay Cemetery.4
6 5
Pte. Martin Benjamin Bradford Born: 28 April 1893 in Beaver Harbour, Charlotte Co., New Brunswick; Served with: 115th Battalion and 26th Canadian Infantry Battalion; Regimental Number: 742702 Died: 28 August 1918 age 25, died in action, buried at Sun Quarry Cemetery.7
8
9 10
Pte. Eric Allison Bradford Born: 23 December 1894 in Blacks Harbour, Charlotte Co., New Brunswick. Served with: 115th Battalion and 26th Canadian Infantry Battalion; Regimental Number: 743041 Died: May 24th, 1919; from battle wounds, age 24, buried in Blacks Harbour Baptist
Cemetery.11 12 13 14
Pte. Winnifield Walter "Winnie" Bradford - Born: 15 April 1896 in Blacks Harbour, Charlotte Co., New Brunswick; Served with: 236th Battalion "The New Brunswick Kelties"; Regimental Number 103023915
Early Life of Brothers: Harold was the second child of Martin and Lola Bradford and was born in Eastport, Maine. When his family relocated slightly across the border to Blacks Harbour, Harold worked alongside his father for the Connors Brothers canning company. His designated occupation was “can maker,” and he earned about $200 per year (slightly better than the other men in the community). Martin and Eric are working as “flakers” on the flake line at Connors Bros, while Winnie is a general laborer.16 Harold is not found in the 1911 Canadian Census because he moved to New York to work as 17 a machine mechanic. There, at the age of 27, Harold falls in love with Irish immigrant Ellen Nolan. They are married on February 28th 1911 at City Hall and proceed to live in upper Manhattan. Three years later, on May 27th 1913, Ellen dies from a fever at the age of 28. Shortly thereafter, Harold returned to his family in Canada.18
Brother’s Service in WW1: On February 5th, 1916, Harold and his younger brother Martin enlisted at St. George, New Brunswick (approx. 30 miles northeast of Maine’s border). A month later Eric enlisted, and the three brothers, all part of the 115th Battalion, began their training in Saint John. Training included riffle practice, marching, medical checkups, and several vaccinations. In July when their training was complete, the battalion boarded a train to Nova Scotia and on July 23rd 1916, the three brothers boarded the SS Olympic (a sister ship to the Titanic). This was likely one of their biggest adventures. Living between Eastport Maine and Blacks Harbour, they must have been fairly familiar with the sea. Yet, now they are leaving their comfortable home in North America for England. The SS Olympic arrived in Liverpool, England on July 31st 1916. Upon their arrival the brothers board a train to the Canadian Army Camp at Bramshott, England (aka “Camp Bramshott). On
October 15th 1916, the brothers are transferred to the 112th Battalion.19 In Canada, their young brother Winnie enlisted in October 1916. Unlike his brothers, Winnie served in the 236th Battalion (aka the “The New Brunswick Kilties” or “Sir Sam’s Own”). Based in Fredericton, their uniform was of the Scottish style regalia, with a “McLean Kilt and a drab Balmoral headdress with a turkey feather. Throughout the entirety of the war his service allowed him to stay in Canada where, “when not training, he would be assigned to guard duties at government buildings or industrial locations.20 The Christmas of 1916 was a very different one for the Bradford family. For one, the three brothers were away from their immediate family back home and facing dangers in England. Yet despite the tensions and stress of the war, the brothers at least had each other to celebrate… afterall, Eric was in fact a Christmas baby (being born December 23rd). Though the brothers probably didn’t realize it at the time, the Christmas of 1916 would be grimmer than the rest: it was the last one they would spend together. It was also the last one the Bradford family would have their father. From this point on, future Christmases wouldn’t be the same. Their father, Sr. Martin Bradford, died February 24th 1917 while the boys were still commissioned in England. One can only imagine how the news of their father’s death reached the brothers. While they were still training at camp Bramshott, Harold fell in love again - this time with an English girl named Margaret Davies. He was granted permission to leave the camp and marry her. No longer a widow, he would once again have dreams of a family and a future. On the other hand, Martin and Eric were transferred to the 26th Canadian infantry battalion (also known as the “Fighting 26”) in early May. The battalion was made up almost entirely of men from the New Brunswick/border of Maine area, and it is very likely that the brothers were with friends from their home. In just a few months, the soldiers of the 21 26th would be sent to the front lines in France. Above: Harold Bradford and his new wife, Margaret Davies
By the end of May Martin and Eric arrived at the 26th battalion which was stationed in Neuville St. Vast - a small town in France. The battalion had been in Europe for about two years by this point, and most of the original members were gone. The small amount of “New Brunswickans” that remained were experienced soldiers accustomed to the death and madness of war. Throughout the first half of June Martin, Eric, and the rest of the battalion trained, which included exercising, combat skills, rapid loading, bayonet fighting, gas mask drills, and learning platoon and section tactics. According to future Bradford family members, Martin had an uncanny skill with the riffle and may have received advance marksman training (though no military records verify if this was the case).22 Despite the growing tensions of the war, the soldiers of the 26th battalion still made time for recreation. On June 20, 1917 the boys participated in a pick up baseball game, and a tug of war competition in which the boys of the 26th beat both the 24th and 25th battalions. Four days later,
however, the men were inspected and issued weapons - a clear indication that the battalion would be moving to the front lines.23 On July 6th the battalion moved to front lines at the first battle of Passchendaele. They stayed there for 4 days, and then spent the preceding 10 days in support and reserve roles. On July 19th they spent the next four days in the trenches and endured several intense battles. By the end of July, the Bradford brothers and the rest of the 26th battalion were back out of the warzone and joined with the 5th Brigade in the Bois de Bouvigny area. There, they trained for the upcoming battle at Hill 70. On August 14, the battalion moved in position. In previous years the hill had fallen to the Germans sometime in October of the year 1914, and was unsuccessfully challenged by the British. Now, under British command, the Canadians were ordered to take the hill. The hill was a strategic landmark, as control of this area would give the allies the high ground they needed to take the city of Lens to the south. The battle for Hill 70 began at 4:25 am. During the opening hours, Eric was severely wounded. Either from an exploding shell, or ricochet bullet, a large metal shrapnel struck the frontside forehead of his head. Taken out of the lines by a stretcher party, Eric was one of the 268 casualties that day: 88 killed and 180 wounded. The casualties of the 26th, however, were lost in 9,198 total casualties by the end of the 10 day battle. Fortunately, the allies won the hill but the Battle of Hill 70 is sadly considered one of the forgotten battles. Nonetheless, the men proved themselves worthy fighters and deserve to be commemorated for their service. Above: Piece of Shrapnel taken from Eric's head. It was removed and given to Eric.24
Eric was sent to the General Hospital at Camiers France, leaving Martin all alone and with very few updates on Eric’s condition. By September 13th Eric moved to the King George Military hospital in England, only to be moved once again to the Ontario Hospital at orpington, England. There he received a medical examination by Dr, Sutherland, who claims that Eric has a “depressed fracture of the right frontal region, high up” and that “brain pulsations are visible.” After surgery, Eric complained of eye trouble. From this point on, Eric was out of the fight. However, at some point during his tours the Bradford family back in Canada came across a newspaper clipping. The small photo is captioned “Ration Up! Canadians receiving food in a shell-shattered village which they captured from the Huns.” The photo features Eric awaiting in the mess line for his food rations. The time and date of this photo is unknown, however, it is likely slightly before Hill 70.25
Above: Newspaper clipping features Eric receiving food rations at a village captured from Huns.26
Back in France Martin was transferred to the 2nd Canadian Division Training Battalion for bomber course, and the rest of the 26th was moved back to the front lines without him. After 12 days of training he rejoined the 26th Battalion at Villers Au Bois, the same place Martin and Eric originally met the Battalion back in May. Though this time he was without the company of his brother, and he was there for 5 months. On November 5th, the Battalion was assembled for the Second Battle of Passchendale. The next morning at 6:00 am German shelling and machine gun fire marked the start of the fighting. Sometime during this day, Martin also suffered a shrapnel wound to the forehead. Fortunately his injuries were deemed “mild” and was back with the Battalion December 20th after some medical care. By this time, Harold had rejoined the Battalion and spent Christmas 1917 in France with Martin. Christmas dinners were served to the companies of the battalion. Back home, Lola and the rest of the Bradford family got to spend Christmas with Eric, who was officially discharged after being deemed medically unfit. Eric had experienced many painful operations and examinations as a result of his wounds, and at least now he had his family to help him manage the struggles and the pain.27 It is also significant to mention that at some point in 1917 Harold and his new wife Margaret had their first child - Kathleen Lola Bradford.28 By the year of 1918 the war had been raging on for three years. North Americans back home were seeing their boys return either changed, wounded, or in caskets. On January 10th of 1918 Harold is transferred to a hospital in Boulogne, France with Nephritis (also known as “French Fever”). He would be out of the fight for 7 months (until July). Once again, Martin was alone in the trenches. But perhaps it was a good thing; after all, who would want their loved ones in a place as horrid as “No Man’s Land.” He fought in Lievin until it ended February 28th, but the Battalion remained on the front lines until the end of March. Martin, however, was granted a fourteen day leave March 2nd. In August the Canadian Corps were secretly moved to the Amiens. The Battle of Amiens was the opening phase of the Allied offensive which would eventually lead to the end of the war. It lasted
from August 8th to the 11th and 22,000 allied soldiers were killed. The Germans casualties were far worse: 74,000 killed. On August 26th the Battalion was just south of Arras waiting for what would be known as the 2nd Battle of Arras. At 4:00 am the next day the Battalion assembled; Zero Hour was set for 10:00 am. Fortunately casualties were considered “light” this day.29 Two days later the Battalion was ordered to attack and push eastward. Riffle in hand, Martin no doubt fought bravely alongside his companions. While moving forward, the three companies encountered intense enemy machine gun fire and several commanders suffered casualties. In the heat of the battle, Martin Benjamin Bradford was killed. He was only 25 years old. He died without the company of his brothers; he died alone. His body was taken to “Sun Quarry Cemetery” and he was buried among 190 of his fellow soldiers.30
After the War: The War finally ended on November 11, 1918. Canadian casualties stood at 67,000 killed and 173,000 wounded. Approximately 19% of Charlotte Co, New Brunswick served in the war. Few families were left unscathed. Surrounded by family in Blacks Harbour, On May 24th 1919, Eric Allison Bradford died from his war wound to the head. He was 24 years old. According to family member, Eric’s traumatic head wound caused him to have many psychotic episodes in which he believed he was back in the trenches fighting Germans. Eric was buried in Blacks Harbour Baptist Cemetery.31 Now that the war is over, Harold and his wife Margaret, along with their new daughter, head back to Canada. They establish a home in Oak Bay, Charlotte County, and on November 19th, 1919, Margaret gives birth to a son, Richard Paul Bradford. Harold’s wife eventually passed away January 7th, 1930, at the age of 35, leaving behind 8 children. This was Harold’s second wife that died, making him a widow once again. On December 4th, 1957, Harold passed away at the Charlotte County hospital from a heart attack. He was then buried in the Oak Bay Rural Cemetery. The Bradford family, however, continued to grow and expand. Lola’s 18 children grew up and had wives and children of their own. Many of their descendants can still be found in the Blacks Harbour/Eastport Maine area.32
Notes
1. Jason Gaudet, “The Bradford Brothers of the First World War,” Heritage Charlotte Historical Society, November 9 2016, http://www.heritagecharlotte.com/bradford/bradfordbrothers.html. 2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. “Harold Lester Bradford,” Find A Grave, accessed June 6 2018, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30785573/eric-allison-bradford. 5. “Bradford, Harold Lester,” Library and Archives Canada, accessed June 5 2018, http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pa ges/item.aspx?IdNumber=59768. 6. Ibid.
7. “Martin Benjamin Bradford,” Find A Grave, accessed June 6 2018, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/138202964/martin-allison-bradford. 8. Jason Gaudet, “The Bradford Brothers of the First World War,” Heritage Charlotte Historical Society.
9. “Bradford, Martin Benjamin,” Library and Archives Canada, accessed June 5 2018, http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pa ges/item.aspx?IdNumber=59791. 10. Ibid
11. “Eric Allison Bradford,” Find A Grave, accessed June 6 2018, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30785573/eric-allison-bradford. 12. Jason Gaudet, “The Bradford Brothers of the First World War,” Heritage Charlotte Historical Society.
13. “Bradford, Eric Allison,” Library and Archives Canada, accessed June 5 2018, http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914 -1918-cef/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=59755. 14. Ibid
15. Jason Gaudet, “The Bradford Brothers of the First World War,” Heritage Charlotte Historical Society. 16. Ibid
17. “1911 Census Records Automated Genealogy,” Library and Archives Canada, accessed June 5 2018, http://automatedgenealogy.com/uidlinks/Links.jsp?uid=150765723
18. Jason Gaudet, “The Bradford Brothers of the First World War,” Heritage Charlotte Historical Society. 19. Ibid.
20. Ibid.
21. Ibid.
22. Ibid.
23. Joseph Day, “New Brunswick’s Fighting 26th Battalion 100th Anniversary,” The Liberal Caucus in Senate, accessed June 7 2018, http://liberalsenateforum.ca/hansard/new-brunswicks-fighting-26th-battalion-one-hundredth-a nniversary-departure-first-world-war/. 24. Jason Gaudet, “The Bradford Brothers of the First World War,” Heritage Charlotte Historical Society. 25. Ibid.
26. Ibid.
27. Ibid
28. “Harold Lester Bradford,” Find A Grave. 29. Jason Gaudet, “The Bradford Brothers of the First World War,” Heritage Charlotte Historical Society. 30. Ibid.
31. “Eric Allison Bradford,” Find A Grave. 32. Jason Gaudet, “The Bradford Brothers of the First World War,” Heritage Charlotte Historical Society.
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