BRADLEY Peter James

Peter James Bradley was born at Jacob’s Well, Abberley, the first child of James and Mary Bradley who had married at Rock on 19th October 1879. He was baptised at St Mary’s Church on 5th December 1880. He had an older step brother, Arthur Bray, from his mother’s previous marriage. Peter had two younger siblings, Edith and Andrew. His father was employed as a stationary engine driver at a local colliery and Peter was to follow in his footsteps, working first as a miner and then as a stationary engine driver.

Peter enlisted in the Worcestershire Regiment and entered the theatre of war on 19th July 1915. On 1st November 1918, the 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment finished training at Cauroir outside Cambrai and the following day they marched Eastwards towards the front line. On 3rd November they billeted overnight at Sepmaries, rousing the next morning to a thunderous barrage and a thick mist. When the orders finally came through at 08.30, the men were sent forward over the River Rhonelles, through the ruins of Marsches and up the slope to the ruined cottages of St Hubert crossroads. During the advance the battalion suffered 8 casualties, one of whom was Peter Bradley. He was taken to a casualty clearing station in the area and died of his wounds on Wednesday 6th November 1918, just 5 days short of the armistice.