Military service
Burial/memorial information
In front, a ragged shell-torn waste, barbed wire and noisome weeds; The grave of many a gallant man who died for his country's needs; The bar between two mighty foes, alert, watchful and still, Like savage beasts as they pause and wait, 'ere they spring to rend and kill. The rattle of the machine guns spraying death along the line; The boom of a distant field gun, then a shrill increasing whine. A crash - an acrid blinding smoke, a shower of stones and dirt - Then casually someone asks, " Is anybody hurt? "
A dazzling streak of light shoots up and bursts, a pretty sight, Transforming No Mans Land into a fairy land of light; 'Tis hard to think a thing so fair is but a means of death, Yet as each "star-shell" shoots aloft we crouch and hold our breath.
And then a low-voiced call comes down for " stretcher bearers here. " Men hurry by and soon a moan falls on the listening ear, " Somebody hit, " you merely think and no one stops at all, Because out here one soon gets used to seeing comrades fall.
Inside the dug-out, damp and foul, a candle's flickering light Shows sleeping forms oblivious of the ever ceaseless fight; Their pillow just a haversack, their bed is only mud: Maybe a cast-off overcoat, damp with a comrade's blood.
Day after day, night after night, the same grim wearing strife: Men come and go - some stay; those who for right gave up their life: For yes, we know the right is ours, our cause is just and true, And so we care not what we hear or what we have to do.
No matter what our task may be, what sacrifice we make For Honour, our Religion and our Liberty's at stake. Our comrades too, both dead and maimed, also demand that we Fight on until the very end, to Death or Victory.
For additional information, visit: http://www.kingandempire.com/bradshaw1.html
>Digitized service file.
Digital gallery of Private Robert Edward Bradshaw
-
Attestation papers
-
Attestation papers
-
Inscription
Inscription - Vimy Memorial, photo courtesy of Marg Liessens. -
Newspaper clipping
From the Saint John (New Brunswick) Daily Telegraph newspaper c.1915. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Saint John (New Brunswick) Daily Telegraph newspaper c.1917. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Private Robert Edward Bradshaw
Digital gallery of
Private Robert Edward Bradshaw
Digital gallery of
Private Robert Edward Bradshaw
Digital gallery of
Private Robert Edward Bradshaw
Digital gallery of
Private Robert Edward Bradshaw
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 206 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
Request this page
Download this page
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
Did we miss something?
Contribute information to this commemorative page
Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.