257963 Tel. William Harold Bradshaw DSM.Royal Navy HMS Bedouin from:Bilsthorpe My father, William Bradshaw, was born in Carr Vale before moving to Bolsover.
In his teens he worked in the coal mine at Bilsthorpe after his mother died of cancer in 1935. In 1937 his 16 year old brother was killed in a mine accident. After this he left home and joined the Royal Navy.
He served aboard HMS Bedouin, was aboard the HMS Lancaster (ex-USS Phillip) bringing the ship to the UK. He served in Combined Operations and was in the Lefoten Raid and Vaargso Raid before going to Madagascar. Here he was awarded the DSM.
Later he went to Burma. He was captured but escaped and made his way to Allied lines en route to the UK. He was in the landings at Anzio.
After the war he was posted to Bermuda, Daniels Head W/T Station. He left the RN in 1948 and joined ACSWS (Admiralty Civilian Shore Wireless Service)which was part of GCHQ. In 1965 ACSWS was formally incorporated into GCHQ. Worked with GCHQ until 1982 when he retired.
His son spent 6 years at sea in the Merchant Navy as a Radio Officer before joining the Diplomatic Wireless Service.
|