Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

'RECRUITING CAMPAIGN.

Sergeant S. Bradford, M.M., late of the Forty-third Battery of the Eleventh Brigade, has been appointed an additional organiser for the district of Capricornia. A recruiting rally will be held at the Post Office comer on Friday night next, commencing at eight o'clock. Addresses will be delivered by the Enlisting Officer for Capricornia (Captain O'Brien) and Sergeant Bradford.' from Morning Bulletin 13 Feb 1918 (nla.gov.au)

'RECRUITING RALLY.

ONE VOLUNTEER SECURED.

A recruiting rally was held by Sergeant S. M. Bradford, M.M., late of the Eleventh Brigade, at the Post Office on Friday night. Alderman T. W. Kingel, in introducing the speaker, said that he was pleased that their troubles from the flood had practically ceased. He thought that they could make a slight comparison with what they had suffered through the flood and what the boys in the trenches were suffering and remember that the latter were not getting the assistance that the people in Rockhampton were getting. The men in the trenches were gradually becoming weaker, yet many men remained at home.

Sergeant Bradford said that they had no doubt read in the papers that there was a concentration of artillery on the western front and know something of the barrage system of artillery fire. He would give them an illustration of that system. On one particular part of the line they had 1000 guns on a five-mile front. The calibre of these weapons ranged from an eighteen-pounder up to a 16.5 naval gun. Added to this were hundreds of machine guns and many thousands of rifles. It was well nigh impossible to speak to one's mate owing to the noise caused by the firing. During one barrage he had seen all the boys get over without a casualty. A barrage could be compared to a garden hose. The innumerable drops of water from that hose would soak every leaf and every corner of the garden. These drops of water could be taken to represent shells, while the numerous holes in the nozzle of the hose could be taken to represent the guns from which the shells were being fired. The man controlling the hose would, of course, represent the gunners. By this method every inch of the German "garden" would be searched. The men knew that a certain objective was to be gained, and they kept about twenty-five yards behind the bursting shells. The barrage was lifted and another German "garden" was subjected to the same treatment, and, incidentally, many a German "flower" was knocked off. Some of these stunts took several months of preparation.

The men in the trenches were working twenty, hours a-day up to their knees in mud. They know that their only chance of being relieved was to be wounded. That was the only consolation that soldiers at the front to-day had. He (Sergeant Bradford) knew of a man who had been wounded six times and who was still fighting. He had met Gunner B. Archdall, son of their late Police Magistrate, in France, and Gunner Archdall told him to tell his old pals in Rockhampton that he was having a good time and that they could also have just as good a time. He (Sergeant Bradford) did not know why men were so backward when they could be having a good time in France. The person who volunteered now was just as good as the men who went in 1914; in fact, he would be better physically, as the other now was becoming worn out. One recruit, a married man, was secured. The rally was brought to a close with the singing of the National Anthem.' from Morning Bulletin 25 Feb 1918 (nla.gov.au)

'Notes and News.

Secretary Resigns. — At a meeting of the Returned Soldiers League, Gympie branch, last night, Lieut. James Glasgow tendered his resignation, owing to his leaving Gympie. Lieut. S. M. Bradford was elected in his stead.' from Gympie Times and Mary River Mining Gazette 13 Jul 1918 (nla.gov.au)

'MEDALS FOR SOLDIERS.

MILITARY MEDAL.

No. 1938. Temporary Sergeant Sydney Middleton Bradford, 11th Field Artillery Brigade.— He enlisted at Brisbane on November 2, 1915, and embarked for active service with the No. 2 Remount Unit on November 10, 1915, subsequently being transferred to the 11th Field Artillery Brigade. Was twice reported wounded. Was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. Temporary Sergeant Bradford went through the German barrage three times, and although wounded restored communications between the observing post, brigade headquarters and battery position, with the result that the German attack was completely repulsed. Returned to Australia, and was discharged as medically unfit for further active service on January 29, 1918.' from Daily Standard 22 Jul 1918 (nla.gov.au)

'Personal.

Lieut. S. M. Bradford, Area Officer at 47c, Gympie, has resigned his position here, and intends retiring from the Government service. He has bought a partnership in an engineering business in Brisbane, having been connected with that trade previous to enlisting. He intends carrying on till a new officer is previded.' from Gympie Times and Mary River Mining Gazette 10 Dec 1918 (nla.gov.au)