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Auction: 7012 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 556

Family Group: A Fine M.B.E. Group of Eight to Warrant Officer Regimental Sergeant Major H. Bradley, South Staffordshire Regiment, Late Liverpool Regiment, and the ´Youngest Soldier in the Trench´ During the Great War a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Member´s (M.B.E.) breast Badge, in Royal Mint case of issue b) 1914-15 Star (25111 Pte. H. Bradley. L´Pool R.) c) British War and Victory Medals (25111 Pte. H. Bradley. L´Pool R.) d) 1939-1945 Star e) Defence and War Medals f) Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R. (Harry Bradley.), in named card box of issue, the Great War Medals post-1921 issues, good very fine or better, together with the miniature awards for the M.B.E., British War and Victory Medals, Maginot Line badge, and the following related documentation &c: - Bestowal Document for the Order of the British Empire, M.B.E., dated 17.2.1942, in original envelope, together with Buckingham Palace letter informing the recipient of the Investiture to take place on 14.4.1942 - Soldier´s Pay Book named to the recipient, and covering the period 16.6-10.11.1915 - Portrait photograph of the Recipient, together with one smaller photograph - A newspaper cutting, with article featuring the recipient, titled ´Youngest Soldier in Trench´ - Letter from the Recipient in original envelope to Mrs. H. Bradley, dated 5.4.1940 - Field Service Post Card from the Recipient to Mrs. H. Bradley, dated 2.6.1940 - Two duplicate Tickets for the Buckingham Palace Investiture of the recipient´s M.B.E., dated 14.4.1942 - Copy of the recipient´s Birth and Marriage Certificates - Letter from Malton Urban District Council, dated 9.3.1942, congratulating Sergeant Major Bradley on being awarded the O.B.E. (sic) - Card of Remembrance from the City of Plymouth recording the recipient´s death 26.3.1978 - A German Bullet, pierced for wear on a watch-chain, which is reputed to have shattered the recipient´s leg in 1915. Pair: Sergeant N. Bradley, East Surrey Regiment British War and Victory Medals (25021 A. Sjt. N. Bradley. E. Surr. R.), nearly extremely fine, together with a photograph of the recipient (10) Estimate £ 350-400 M.B.E. London Gazette 17.2.1942 No. 101034 Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant Major) Harry Bradley, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Malton, Yorks.) ´In recognition of conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.´ 101034 Warrant Officer Harry Bradley, M.B.E. born Ainthorpe, North Yorkshire, 17.3.1900; enlisted Liverpool Regiment 1.1.1915 aged just 14; ´a big lad for his age´, he gave his age as 19; served in France from 31.5.1915, where, only just 15, he was reputedly the ´youngest soldier in the trench´ (newspaper cutting refers); discharged at the end of the Great War, he re-enlisted with the South Staffordshire Regiment (this time giving his correct age); served as Company Sergeant Major throughout the Second World War. Warrant Officer Bradley died 26.3.1978.

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£440