Description

Offered is a 1914 Star, with clasp & BWM to Private Frank Bradshaw, who served with the 2nd Bn, South Wales Borderes and was Died of Wounds on the 28th September 1914, only a month after landing in France and only 6 weeks since the beginning of the First World War.

1914 Star, impressed named 6632 PTE F.BRADSHAW. S.WALES BORD. with Aug – Nov clasp; British War Medal, impressed named 6632 PTE. F. BRADSHAW. S.WALES. BORD. Comes with copies M.I.C. medal rolls, newspaper article & pension records.

Private Frank Bradshaw’s service records do not appear to have survive the ‘Blitz’, however what is known is that he was born in Manchester and enlisted there with the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. He was given the service number 6632. He probably enlisted in March 1900 as enlistee 6623 joined on 9th March 1900.

The 2nd Battalion S.W.B deployed to the Boer War 3/2/1900. It is unknown when Bradshaw joined them but he qualified for the Queens South Africa Medal with 3 clasps (Cape Colony, Orange Free State &Transvaal). Also the Kings South Africa Medal with 2 clasps.

WW1: The 1st Battalion S.W.B landed in France 13/8/1914, Pte Bradshaw landed in France 31/8/1914 so it is probable that he was time expired and recalled to the colours at the outbreak of the war and posted to the 1st Battalion with was part of the 3rd Brigade 1st Division.

Bradshaw died of wounds on the 28th September 1914 and is buried at the Braine Communal Cemetery. It is unsure as to which action during the battles of the Aisne that Pte Bradshaw was wounded at as Braine is within a few kilometres of the battles of the Aisne: Passage of the Aisne 13/9/14: Actions on the Aisne Heights 20/9/1914. By the 26/9/14 the Battalion had moved several Kilometres on so it is unlikely that he would have been taken to Braine where the No 5 Casualty Clearing Station was located.

Frank Bradshaw left behind a wife and 3-year-old daughter. The British Red Cross & Order of St John Enquiry List, Wounded & Missing, 1914-1919 received an inquiry 26/6/1915. Reported died of wounds on or about Sept. 28, 1914. Enquirer asks details as to death. etc. The inquirer believed that Pte Bradshaw was with the 3rd Battalion S.W.B. (Reserve Battalion).