Epsom College - Supplementary Page

Roland Boys Bradford was born at Witton Park near Bishop Auckland on 22 February 1892, the fourth son of five children born to George and Amy Bradford of Darlington. His father was a mining engineer and colliery owner.

He entered Epsom College in 1907 and joined Carr House. His main interests were outside the classroom, being the sports field and the College Cadet Corps. He was a keen member of the Cadets, achieving the rank of Lance Corporal and section leader. He attended two Public Schools Camps at Aldershot in 1908 and 1909. His housemaster at Carr, Mr H.F.Lee, wrote:

He was particularly fond of Rugby and gained his first XV colours in his final year at College and captained Carr House at half-back. He left College in 1909.

In 1910, at the age of 18, he joined the 5th Battalion DLI in the Territorial Army and was a 2nd Lieutenant at the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. He quickly distinguished himself as an Officer and won the Military Cross leading an attack at Armentières.

He won his Victoria Cross (VC) on 1 October 1916 at Eaucourt l'Abbaye, France. When a lead battalion had suffered severe casualties, including its commander, and its flank had become dangerously exposed, he took command of the battalion in addition to his own. By fearless energy and skilful leadership he rallied the attack, secured the flank and captured the objective. He received his VC from King George V at Hyde Park on 2nd June 1917. His brother George would also be awarded the VC in 1918, making them the only brothers in the First World War to receive these medals.

He later achieved the rank of Brigadier General, and at the time of his death was the youngest Brigadier General in the army.

He was killed in action on 30 November 1917 at Graincourt, France, and is buried in Hermies British Cemetery, France. There is a plaque in St Cuthbert's Church Darlington and a porch at Darlington's Memorial Hospital commemorating him

Here is a link to a web site with more details of Roland Bradford's life.

Robert Scott was born on 22 April 1857 at Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. He was the son of Fleet-Surgeon Robert Charles Scott (RN) and Mary Elizabeth Scott. He entered Epsom College in 1870 and joined Granville House. He was an active member of the College Corps. After leaving College in 1871 he went on to join the Cape Mountain Riflemen in 1876. He served in the Frontier Wars of 1877 and the Zulu War of 1878-9.

Sergeant Robert George Scott VC, DSO, won his Victoria Cross (VC) on 8 April 1879 at Morosi's Mountain, South Africa during the Basuto War. During an assault on Morosi's Mountain, he crept up to the enemy's defences and attempted to fling two time-fuse shells into their midst. He had retired his own men lest a grenade burst prematurely, and indeed the second exploded in his hand, blowing the hand away and shattering his leg. He was promoted to Lieutenant in September 1880 and in November 1880 his VC was presented to him personally by Queen Victoria at Windsor.

At the start of the Boer War he was promoted to Major with the Kimberley Light Horse. He was mentioned in despatches, received the Queen's medal with three clasps and received the DSO. He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and commanded the Kimberley Commando during the First World War.

He died on 3 October 1918, near Wynberg, South Africa and is buried in grave 88, E.A. Allotment, Plumstead Cemetery, Wynberg South Africa.