Harrogate Herald - 7th June 1916

"Billy" Bell writes : 

Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well, with nothing much to grumble about, also to thank you for the Herald, which arrives regularly. Since being home on my last leave our column is working much nearer the firing line and are parked well within range of the shells. Some of our lorries have had narrow escapes, but luckily we have suffered no casualties. It is the gas that makes us feel nervous, and in the last attack, when our division suffered so heavily, we could not see across the road, it was so thick. As a result two of our men were sent to base hospital. Occasionally I have carried mining parties up to trenches during the night, and it was on one of these trips that I learnt of my cousin Jimmy's death, not knowing that he belonged to that company at all. It was a shock to me, and the same night had a narrow escape myself from a sniper. Unknowingly my mate and I were strolling about "suicide corner" near Loos, when four bullets came in quick succession, one passing between our heads. Needless to say we scattered and felt very thankful we had suffered no hurt. Last night my brother Don called to see me on his way home on leave, and we spent about two hours together. I wished I was coming, too, for Harrogate must be looking well just now, but I must wait two or three months yet before my turn comes. I have come across a few Harrogate chaps lately, including Tommy Womack, Arthur Bradley, Ambler, and one or two more whose names I forget. Well, I must close, hoping you are keeping well yourself, also for every success to the Herald. With kind regards. Please remember me to my friends in the Herald buildings.

Harrogate Herald - 7th March 1917

W H Breare letter

Can anyone send me Driver A W Parson's (1233) address? He knows where the grave of Private Arthur Bradley is, and I want Parson's address for the information. If any other boy knows the location of Bradley's last resting place I shall be glad to hear from him.

Harrogate Herald - 30th November 1921

Memorial tablet in porch of the Dragon Road Methodist Church : Full article at War Memorials

The tablet, which is surrounded with an artistic raised border, bears an oval wreath in relief, and the names of the fallen in raised letters in the centre as follows : 

"In honoured memory of the men of this church who fought and died in the Great War. A Bradley, H Bennison, B Bousedale, R Houseman, E [Could be K or H] Hardcastle, A Hood, W A Long, W Macintosh, M Maude, E Middleton, R Preston, N Shepherd, G Topham, W H Weighill, R Wegg. On to the City of God".

SDGW

Royal Army Service Corps

Private Arthur Bradley (M2/021242)

Born : Armley

Enlisted : London

Residence : Harrogate

Died : 9th July 1916

Killed in Action

France & Flanders

CWGC

In Memory of

ARTHUR BRADLEY

Private M2/021242 7th Ammunition Sub. Park, Army Service Corps who died on Sunday, 9th July 1916. Age 23.

Additional Information:

Only son of Thomas Bradley and Eliza Bradley, of 12, East Parade, Harrogate.

Commemorative Information

Cemetery:

DANTZIG ALLEY BRITISH CEMETERY, MAMETZ, Somme, France

Grave Reference/Panel Number:

IV. A. I.