Roll of Honour 2023

P AGE 141

W ORLD W AR II

S T . E DWARD ’ S S CHOOL , O XFORD R OLL OF H ONOUR

Name BENJAMIN ROBERT BRADFORD-MARTIN (Capt)

Lef SES 1935

Roll Number 2447 Died 20/21:04:1942

Set / House B

Arrive SES 1929

Where YENANGYAUNG, BURMA Serving with 1ST BATTALION, CAMERONIANS

Age 26

Buried No known grave Remembered Rangoon Memorial and The St. Edward’s School WW2 Memorial

Born Eastbourne 1916, the elder of two SES brothers, both of whom were lost in or due to the Second World War. Benjamin was a School Prefect and was a member of the Hockey XI 1934 School Play, Sgt in the OTC and in the Modern VIth Form. On leaving the School he went on to Sandhurst in 1935 and was commissioned in the Cameronians two years later. Appointed Second Lieutenant 1939 and Temporary Captain in 1940. His war service was entirely in India and Burma and the intense fighting against the advancing Japanese. He was ‘reported missing’ in 1942 following action against overwhelming odds. It was later reported that he was a POW with others and had tried to escape, was recaptured and was last seen fighting his captors with his fists. He was never then seen again. He has no known grave. ‘He played a large part in School life as a School Prefect and Head of House, distinguishing himself both in work and games. One remembers, above all, his loyalty and keen sense of duty, as well as the many admirable qualities he possessed’ (Chronicle).