BRADFORD, Amos [BROWN]


No.4521, Rifleman, Amos BRADFORD
Aged 22


3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)
Killed in Action on Friday, 23rd October 1914

He was an Old Contemptible

Amos Harry BROWN was born in Dullingham on 14th March 1894 (school register) (1892 by CWGC) (Newmarket Q1-1894 3B:502) to Ada BROWN. As Ada BRADFORD she married William MARSH (Newmarket Q2-1904 3B:1165). Where the name BRADFORD originates from has not been found

Baptised in Dullingham on 5th August 1894, date of birth given as 18th March 1894, illegitimate son of Ada BROWN. He was admitted to Dullingham School on 10th May 1897 his guardian named as Ada BROWN, leaving on 26th April 1907 (address given as Newton) when leaving the village, now his guardian seems to be Ada BRADFORD (which was changed back to BROWN for the 1901 census).

1901 census...Aged 7, Amos BROWN was at Workhouse, Brinkley Road, Dullingham with his mother Ada BROWN,[25] single, firewood maker; sister Ella BROWN [4] and brother William BROWN [1]. Head of family was his widowed grandmother Eliza BROWN [67] firewood maker and uncle James BROWN [25] builder's labourer. All were born in Dullingham.

1911 census...As Amos BRADFORD, aged 17, a farm labourer, he was at High Street, Stetchworth, a boarder with his stepfather William MARSH and Ada MARSH (his mother) and their five children.

In the CWGC records, "Soldier's Personal Effects" and pension card, he is given as the son of Mrs Ada Marsh of Ley Road, Stetchworth.


He enlisted in Bury St Edmunds. His number indicates enlisting in 1912. From the age given on CWGC he added 2 years to his age on enlistment. His service records have not been found.
On the 23rd October 1914 the 3rd Rifle Brigade were at Porte-Egal Ferme, Houplines, just NE of Armentieres. The Newmarket Journal of 14th November 1914 reported that Amos was the member of a machine gun crew and was killed by an enemy bullet. They had 23 killed that day



De Ruvigny gives a different date of death


photo: Rodney Gibson



Amos Bradford is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium - panel 10

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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