Bradley, John Whitfield

Pilot Officer John Whitfield Bradley

Bradley was born at 21 Eglantine Gardens, Belfast on 19th May 1918 to David Bradley, Tea Merchant and Minnie Bradley nee Kirker. They had married on 14th June 1909 at University Road Methodist Church, Belfast.

In 1911 the family lived in house 15, Pretoria Street, Cromac, Belfast. David was a book-keeper.

Following his education at Methodist College, Belfast, Bradley joined the bank around 1935 based on a starting age of 17.

Bradley volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force (VR). Promotions followed to Pilot Officer with service number 113428.

At one time, Bradley was stationed at RAF Oulton, located to the west of the market town of Aylsham, Norfolk. It was built between 1939 and 1940 as a bomber airfield and had grass runways.

Bradley was serving with 139 Squadron, RAF (VR) when he was killed in action on 15th October 1941 aged 23.

Courtesy of Nigel Henderson

He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, panel 31.

Acknowledgements to CWGC

Family Headstone
Courtesy of Nigel Henderson

Methodist College, Belfast - War Memorial
Courtesy of Nigel Henderson

The NatWest Group Archives website has published this information:

John Whitfield Bradley was born on 19 May 1918, the son of David and Minnie Bradley. In March 1937 he went to work for Ulster Bank at its head office in Belfast. In May 1938 he moved to Belfast Crumlin Road branch, and then back to head office in April 1939.

 

In June 1940 Bradley left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He trained as a pilot and eventually flew Blenheim bomber aircraft. On 15 October 1941 the Blenheim he was piloting was lost without a trace after takeoff from its UK base. The aircraft's crew, including Pilot Officer Bradley, were all killed on that day, although they were initially listed as missing and his death was not presumed until May 1942. John Bradley was 23 years old when he was killed.

 

John Bradley is commemorated on two memorials at Ulster Bank’s Belfast head office: its roll of honour for staff who served in the Second World War and its memorial for those who fell.