Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An extremely rare Iraq 1920 operations D.S.O., Second World War O.B.E. group of eleven awarded to Colonel E. Bradney, Royal Engineers, who was also four times mentioned in despatches, twice for Waziristan

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; The Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military), 2nd type; 1914-15 Star (Capt., R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (Bt. Major); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq, M.I.D. oakleaf (Major, R.E.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24, M.I.D. oakleaf (Bt. Maj., R.E.); Defence and War Medals; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, these last two privately inscribed, ‘Lt. Col. E. Bradney’, mounted court-style as worn, very fine and better (11) £2000-2500

D.S.O. London Gazette 10 August 1921: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Tuwariz on 12 October 1920, whilst in command of a Field Company of Sappers and Miners, during an attempt to save a bridge from destruction by the insurgents and in the saving of another. This Officer, by his daring and coolness under heavy fire at close quarters, inspired his command to a rigid determination, which was rewarded by a success of considerable importance. On all occasions he has set a fine example of fearless leadership.’

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1946.

Mention in Despatches London Gazette 19 October 1916 (Mesopotamia); 9 September 1921 (Iraq); 30 May 1924 (Waziristan) and 13 March 1925 (Waziristan).

Edward Bradney was born at Talycoed, Monmouth in June 1889 and was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in September 1909. Posted to India in September 1911, he was advanced to Lieutenant in January of the following year and to Captain in September 1915.

Just over two months later, Bradney entered the Egyptian theatre of war, and afterwards, from November 1915 until June 1916, he fought in Mesopotamia with the 2nd Queen Victoria’s Own Sappers and Miners, being given the Brevet of Major and winning his first ‘mention’. Returning to India, he remained there on attachment, and went on to distinguish himself in the Iraq operations, when he commanded the 9th Company, Sappers and Miners. With the latter unit he won his D.S.O. in October 1920, when he also took command of infantry from the 13th Rajputs, and crossed a burning bridge to capture Tuwariz. Bradney was additionally mentioned in despatches, and received the same accolade on two occasions for his part in assorted operations in Waziristan between 1919-24.

Advanced to substantive Major in December 1925, and to Lieutenant-Colonel in October 1933, Bradney was placed on half-pay as a Colonel at the end of 1937. Latterly, he returned to uniform with a post at the R.E. Record and Pay Office. The Colonel died in October 1948, having been created an O.B.E. in January 1946.