Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Second World War immediate D-Day M.M. group of six awarded to Lance-Sergeant F. B. Bradshaw, 295 Field Company, Royal Engineers, who had charge of a party of Sappers in the landings on “Gold Beach” - two out of his five men quickly fell wounded to enemy strong points on the sea wall and to sniper fire

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2011261 L. Sjt. F. B. Bradshaw, R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, generally good very fine (6) £2000-2500

M.M. London Gazette 19 October 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘Lance-Sergeant Bradshaw was in command of a section of Sappers landing with an Assault Company of Infantry at Le Hamel on 6 June 1944. Their task was to make crossings over ditches for mortars and heavy weapons. Two out of his five men were knocked out, and Lance-Sergeant Bradshaw continued under heavy fire and laid all the light bridges. He then returned to the beach and organised a sapping party under shell fire. His display of courage was outstanding.’

Frederick Benjamin Bradshaw was born in Walsall in October 1915, the son of a Farmer's Waggoner, and enlisted in the Royal Engineers at Colchester in April 1940. Of subsequent events on D-Day, when 295 Field Company formed part of 231 Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, and landed on “Jig” sector of “Gold Beach”, the former’s War Diary states:

‘The night of 5-6 June was quiet and all craft in the convoy passed through the minefield without damage. We arrived at the lowering position at 0430 hours. The coast of Normandy was visible faintly; there was spasmodic bombing from the shore batteries. Breakfast was given to troops on board L.S.I. before lowering. There was a fresh wind and the sea choppy. ‘H’ Hour was at 0725. The air and other types of support which would have been put on the defences at Le Hamel failed completely with the result that heavy opposition was met from strong points on the sea wall, which fired L.M.G’s onto the beach. These were not finally cleared until ‘H’ plus 6 hours. Snipers were very troublesome, both on the beach and inland. Very few underwater obstacles were cleared with the result that many landing craft were damaged and beached far out, causing heavy loss of vehicles. The Assault Platoons managed to open exits from the beach by ‘H’ plus 2 hours. Movement inland was slow as enemy opposition was stiff and continued to a depth of some miles.’

Stiff opposition indeed, 50th Division suffering casualties of 413 killed, wounded or missing by the close of D-Day.

Sold with the recipient’s original Soldier’s Service & Pay Book, which verifies his Africa Star and clasp, a copy birth certificate and some related research, including extracts taken from the War Diaries of 295 Field Company and 50th (Northumbrian) Division.