Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.B.E. group of three awarded to Lieutenant J. Bradford, Hampshire Regiment

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type, breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1931; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. J. Bradford.) the MBE a later replacement, good very fine (3) £160-£200

M.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919:
‘For valuable services rendered in connection with the War.’

James Bradford was born in 1878 and baptised in Southampton. The son of a victualler, he served on the Western Front with the 14th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 2 May 1917). According to the recipient’s Officer Service Record, further service was marred by ill health and a severely sprained ankle when he fell into a trench whilst on duty at La Clyte; granted sick leave in October 1917, Bradford returned home to Avenue House in Brockenhurst to recuperate. Posted briefly to the 63rd (R.N.) Division Command Depot at Perham Down, he saw out the War with the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, and was released from service on 19 November 1919.