WO2. Thomas Bradley
British Army 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry
from:Birtley
Thomas Bradley was born on the 12th of August 1904. He enlisted in Chester Le Street on the 30th of May 1925. He served with the BEF in France from 24th of April 1940 to 28th of May 1940 when he was rescued from Dunkerque. He was in Iceland from 20th of October 1940 to 22nd of December 1941. He was later transferred to Northumberland Fusiliers. He was awarded the Efficiency Medal TA Clasp and received a Medical Discharge on the 18th of August 1944, his Military Conduct was Exemplary
My Father's Uncle Alf who was in the same Regiment as my Grandfather was taken prisoner during the retreat to Dunkerque told me at my Grandfathers funeral when I was 21 years old that my Grandfather rescued him and another man from a bomb crater when they were lost and disorientated. My Grandfather appeared blazing away with a Bren Gun, jumped into the hollow and shouted 'right follow me!' Alf was later captured when he saw fit to go against my Grandfathers orders to keep their boots on and be ready to run. Alf took his off to soak them in a nearby stream and got captured. My Grandfather told me little about the war, except that they were not just retreating from the Germans, the Germans were all over them and they were running to escape heavy machine gun fire.
