JOHN ISAAC BRADBROOK
Born: 1897, Stoke, Ipswich.
Died: 26th September 1917; age 20; KiA. Served 3 years & 229 days.
Residence: 50, Rope Walk, Ipswich.
Occupation: Chair Maker for Alfred Wrinch & Sons.
Enlistment Details: Location: Ipswich; Date: 10th February 1914; Age: 17 years. Signed up for 4 years. Height: 5ft 8ins.
Date of Entry Therein: 8th November 1914.
Service:
Home: 10th February 1914 – 7th November 1914.
France: 8th November 1914 – 26th September 1917.
30th July 1916, appointed an unpaid Lance Corporal whilst doing duty with No. 98 Machine Gun Coy.
Promoted Corporal – 5th March 1917
Appointed Lance Sergeant – 1st July 1917.
Promoted Sergeant – 21st September 1917.
Rank: Sergeant; Service Number: 23384
Regiment: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 98th Coy.
Formerly 1813, Suffolk Regiment.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star.
The body was exhumed at the beginning of 1921, from a grave with no cross, identified by a Disc, and reburied.
Grave Reference:
LXVII.G.22.
West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium.
Brother to CHARLES ERNEST BRADBROOK.
CENSUS
1901 70, Purplett Street, Ipswich.
John was 4 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Isaac John Bradbrook, 29, a Shoe Maker & Riveter, born Ipswich.
Jane Elizabeth Bradbrook (nee English), 28, born Ipswich.
Ellen Elizabeth Bradbrook, 7, born Ipswich.
Charles Ernest Bradbrook, 6, born Ipswich.
George William Bradbrook, 2, born Ipswich.
Henry Thomas Bradbrook, 1, born Ipswich.
1911 85, Purplett Street, Ipswich.
John was 14 years old, a Chair Maker. He and his brother were visitors at the home of their cousin, 25 year old, Albert English, an Oil Maker Labourer.
Charles, 16, a Chair Maker.
John’s father, Isaac John Bradbrook, third son of Mr. William Henry Bradbrook, died on the 23rd December 1916, at his home, 50, Rope Walk, Ipswich and was buried in Section GG, Ipswich Old Cemetery.
Soldiers’ Effects to Elizabeth Jane Bradbrook – mother.
John is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Clement’s Church, Ipswich.
MACHINE GUN CORPS.
The Machine Gun Corps was formed in October 1915 as the machine gun proved to be an effective weapon in infantry support in trench warfare. Cavalry and Motor branches, followed in 1916 by the Heavy Branch. A depot and training centre was established at Belton Park in Grantham, Lincolnshire, and a training base depot at Camiers in France. The men were trained to a higher technical standard, capable of stripping down and mending the guns in the field.
The Machine Gun Corps had 62,049 casualties, including 12,498 killed out of 170,500 officers and men, earning it the nickname ’the Suicide Club’ mainly as machine guns were static or fixed positions, becoming prime targets for the enemy.
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 98th Coy: http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/machine-gun-corps-in-the-first-world-war/
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