1901, Itala
BRADLEY, H G, Driver, Royal Field Artillery, was born 27 September 1870, at 5 Huntingdon Street, Kingsland, son of Edward Thomas Bradley, of Barnet. He entered the Royal Field Artillery as Driver, and served in the Boer War of 1899 to 1902. He displayed great gallantry at Itala, when Major Chapman and his little garrison made their splendid defence against Botha. Sixteen hundred Boers attacked in the early morning, and our men—mostly Mounted Infantry—held their ground for nineteen hours, inflicting a loss of five hundred killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. Lieutenant Kane, of the South Lancashires, died at his post, shouting: "No surrender, men!" and we lost heavily, but we kept our position against overwhelming odds. During the fight ammunition ran short at the top of a steep hill, one hundred and fifty yards from the main body, and Major Chapman, of the Dublin Fusiliers, called for volunteers to carry some up. It was then that Driver Bradley won the Victoria Cross, and Driver Lancashire and Gunners Bull, Rabb and Boddy the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Bradley's Victoria Cross was gazetted 27 December 1901: "H G Bradley, Driver, Royal Field Artillery. Date of Act of Bravery: 20 September 1901. During the action at Itala, Zululand, on the 26th September 1901, Major Chapman called for volunteers to carry ammunition up the hill; to do this a space of about 150 yards, swept by a heavy cross-fire, had to be crossed. Driver Lancashire and Gunner Bull at once came forward and started, but half-way across Driver Lancashire fell wounded; Driver Bradley and Gunner Bull, without a moment's hesitation, ran out and caught Driver Lancashire up, and Gunner Rabb carried him under cover, the ground being swept by bullets the whole time. Driver Bradley then, with the aid of Gunner Boddy, succeeded in getting the ammunition up the hill". He was promoted to Bombardier, received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps. His Victoria Cross was presented to him by Lord Kitchener at Pretoria on Peace Thanksgiving Day.
