Frederick Ekin Bradley was the son of William and Jane Bradley. Frederick was born about 1885 in County Donegal.Frederick was married to Lillian J. Bradley, of 72 Union Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth. He had previously served during the Boer War. He had also served on HMS Hyacinth in the Somali Expedition. Acting Lead Stoker Frederick Bradley served on submarine HMS D5. She was sunk by a British mine. Acting Lead Stoker Frederick Bradley was drowned along with 20 officers and men. Frederick Ekin Bradley died on 3rd November 1914. Age: 29.
Further Information
Frederick Ekin Bradley was the son of William and Jane Bradley. William Bradley and Jane Elkin / Ekin were married on 9th April 1879 in the district of Fermanagh.
Fredrick Bradley was born on 9th November 1884 in Burnfoot, County Donegal. He was one of at least nine children.
Known family: William Bradley, Jane Bradley, Emily Bradley (born about 1882, County Donegal), William Bradley (born about 1883, County Donegal), Fredrick Ekin Bradley (born 9th November 1884, County Donegal), Annie Bradley (born about 1887, County Donegal), Francis Bradley (born 29th December 1890, County Donegal), Albert Bradley (born about 1892, County Donegal), Alexander Bradley (born about 1895, County Donegal), Roland Bradley (born about 1897, Derry City), Harold Bradley (born 13th May 1898, Derry City).
The 1901 census lists Frederick as aged 16. He had left school and was employed as a coach builder. His father was a tram conductor in Londonderry.
The CWGC record that he served in the South African War, although this seems unlikely.
Frederick Bradley joined the Royal Navy on 4th December 1902, enlisting for a period of 12 years. He gave his occupation as coach builder.
The 1911 census dose not list the Frederick as living with the family at house 30 in Corr and Dunavally, Charlemont, County Armagh. Frederick’s father had retired and was an R.I.L. pensioner.
Frederick was married to Lillian J Bradley.
Stoker Frederick Bradley served on a variety of ships during his Royal Navy career.
Acting Lead Stoker Frederick Bradley served on submarine HMS D5. HMS D5 was a British D class submarine built by Vickers, Barrow. D5 was laid down on 23 February 1910, launched 28 August 1911 and was commissioned on 19 February 1911.
HMS D5 sunk on 3rd November 1914, two miles south of South Cross Buoy off Great Yarmouth in the North Sea. The submarine was sunk by a British mine.
Acting Lead Stoker Frederick Bradley was drowned along with 20 officers and men. There were only five survivors including her Commanding Officer Lt Cdr Godfrey Herbert.
Frederick Ekin Bradley died just a week before his 30th birthday.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 14th November 1914:
Mr Frederick Bradley, acting leading stoker of the submarine D5, which was sunk by a mine on 3rd November, and who lost his life on that occasion along with twenty other officers and men, was a son of Mr William Bradley, Corr and Dunavalley. Two brothers of the deceased are in the service of the Crown, Mr Rowland Bradley, of the North Irish Horse, being one of the bodyguard of Sir John French, and Mr Albert Bradley, who volunteered in the Canadian contingent and was recently at home on a visit. Another brother, Mr John Bradley, is on the Belfast police force.
Acting Lead Stoker Frederick Bradley has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 3 on Plymouth Naval Memorial
Acting Lead Stoker Frederick Bradley was one of five brothers who served, three of whom were killed in the war. More about his brothers is available in Lance Corporal Rowland Bradley biography – see references below.
It is though he may have been Northern Ireland’s first submariner loss in the Great War.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 15th June 1915: a Charlemont Family's Patriotism
Mr William Bradley, Corr Dunavalley, Charlemont, County Armagh, has received official intimation that his son, Private Albert James Bradley, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, was wounded in the right hand on 7th May by a shrapnel bullet, and is at present in a London hospital. Mr Bradley, who is an ex-member of the Royal Irish Constabulary (R.I.C.), has reared a patriotic family. The eldest son, who is at present in Calgary, Canada, served throughout the Boer War with the Imperial Yeomanry, and holds the medal for that campaign. The second son, Frederick, was a leading stoker in the submarine D5, and was drowned when that ill-fated boat sank on 3rd November last. He was the possessor of the medal awarded in connection with the Somaliland expedition against the Mad Mullah, having been then a stoker on board H.M.S. Hyacinth. Frank Bradley, who is at present at the front with the 15th Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, also volunteered on the outbreak of hostilities and was originally attached to the Canadian Gordon Highlanders. He returned to England on 'Blockade Day', 18th February, and left for the front in the beginning of May. Another son, Rowland, is at the front with the North Irish Horse. John F Bradley is also serving the Crown, but in a different sphere, being a police constable in Belfast. The youngest son, Laxey Bradley, is an enthusiastic member of the Ulster Volunteer Force, and on the call for volunteers, joined the Ulster Division with a number of Moy men. Owing to his eyesight however, he was rejected after having been in training for some time.
Acting Lead Stoker Frederick Bradley is commemorated locally on Moy War Memorial.
The CWGC record Acting Lead Stoker Frederick Bradley as the son of William and Emma Bradley of Charlmont, Moy, County Armagh. He is also recorded as the husband of Lilian J Bradley of 72 Union Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth. He is also listed as having served in the South African War
