A Great War 1917 ‘Zillebeke operations’ M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant D. D. Bradbury, 18th Battery, Australian Field Artillery, Australian Imperial Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (8361 Sjt: D. D. Bradbury. 18/By: Aust: F.A,); 1914-15 Star (8361 Bdr. D. D. Bradbury. 6/F.A. Bde. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (8361 Sjt. D. D. Bradbury. 6. F.A.B. A.I.F.); with an Australian Peace Medal, silvered metal, all mounted for wear, cleaned, good very fine (5) £700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 19 November 1917. The original recommendation (jointly listed with three others) states:

‘On 14th September 1917, at Zillebeke, Belgium, the 18th Battery position was heavily shelled from 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. with 5.9" and 8". At 3.35 p.m., an ammunition dump alongside No. 1 gun was hit and it and the gun pit caught fire. These men, on Lieut. Dodd calling for a party, rushed out of the shelter trench in the face of the heavy fire and with water from the adjacent shell holes succeeded in putting it out. Later, the pit was again hit and it and the ammunition pit caught fire. These men again went out with Lieut. Dodd in the face of the shelling and succeeded in saving the guns and ammunition. They displayed great gallantry and determination in the face of very considerable danger.’

Dorie Dudley Bradbury was born in Sydney, New South Wales, in 1894. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 28 June 1915. He served with the 18th Battery, 6th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery in Egypt from December 1915. Bradbury advanced to Corporal in March 1916, and served with the Battery in the French theatre of war from the same month.

Bradbury advanced to Sergeant in June 1916, and was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry at Zillebeke, Ypres, 14 September 1917. Four M.M.s, including to Bradbury, were awarded to the Battery for this action. He was accidentally wounded in the hands and face at Ritemont, 26 June 1918.

Bradbury returned to Australia, 15 November 1919, and was discharged, 17 March 1920.