PRIVATE 15/54 WALTER LANNING BRADFIELD 15TH BATTALION WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. 1st LEEDS PALS.


PRIVATE 15/54 WALTER LANNING BRADFIELD 15TH BATTALION WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. 1st LEEDS PALS. KILLED IN ACTION 5TH DECEMBER 1916



Courtesy Nick Hooper BGS 

In early September 1914, 22 year old Walter Lanning Bradfield was amongst the first to join the newly created battalion, the 15th West Yorkshire Regiment, otherwise known as the 'Leeds Pals'.Born in Leicester he was the youngest son of the noted Wesleyan minister the Reverend William Bradfield and his wife Annie.

Largely raised in Cambridge, from the age of 11 Walter attended a public school in the city called The Leys, where he was a keen member of the Officer Cadet Corps. A few years before the outbreak of war, The Reverend Bradfield had moved his family to Ilkley where he became the warden of the newly created Wesleyan Deaconess College on Queens Road. The family themselves lived at 14 Oakburn Road in Ilkley.

Walter was a gifted scholar and and after completing his schooling at Bradford Grammar School, studied Modern History at Jesus College, Oxford leaving with a 2nd class Honours degree. Unusually for a man who was educated at both public school and university Walter chose not to seek a commission but remained in the ranks.

In late 1915, the Leeds Pals had been posted to Egypt but for some reason Walter remained in Britain and only rejoined the battalion in April or May of 1916 when they moved to the Western Front.On the first day of the Battle of the Somme the Leeds Pals had attacked towards the village of Serre where they had almost been obliterated, suffering about 750 casualties. Walter had survived this and subsequent actions involving the battalion. By December 1916, the Pals were in the front line near to Heburturne where they suffered casualties from intermittent enemy shelling, including Walter who was killed on the 5th of that month. 

Today Private Walter Bradfield lies in the British Military Cemetery at Couin and is remembered on the war memorials at The Lays School. Bradford Grammar School and here in Ilkley. His name is also inscribed on his parents grave at Nab Wood Cemetery,Bingley.

Walter's commanding officer wrote of him to his parents. "He was a good man and a brave soldier a conscientious man and one we can ill afford to lose. We mourn him as a good true comrade. I knew him well and have valued his long association with the battalion. Another officer wrote of Walter. "The cheerful and uncomplaining way in which he carried out all his duties caused him to be liked by all and the whole company feels the loss of his optimism and good spirits".

                                                                  Couin Cemetery

                                                           Parents grave in Cottingley

                                                              Jesus College Oxford

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