James F. BRADLEY 1895-1918

BRADLEY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/9/2023 at 22:34:33

Obituary – James Francis Bradley
(1895-October 21, 1918)

James Francis Bradley, a son of J. C. Bradley of the Lizard community, and nephew of J. P. Bradley of this place, entered the United States service May 26, 1918, and died on the 21st day of the following October, as a result of contracting influenza, with pneumonia. Upon his entrance into service he was assigned to Battery E, 337th Field Artillery. His death occurred at Base Hospital No. 30, Clermont, Ferrand, France, and he was interred in the American cemetery at that place with all military honors due one who had made the supreme sacrifice for the home and country he loved so well.
He died at the early age of twenty-three, a flower of American manhood cut down all too soon by death’s grim sickle. A young man of charming personality, he was beloved by all who knew him, and had the pleasing asset of making friends for himself wherever he went. A lad ever ready to speak a word of encouragement and lend the helping hand, leaving behind him an empty, aching void, of which time alone will be the healer. He was buried with all the military honors due to anyone who died in the nation’s service. The funeral, one of the largest ever held in this community, was in charge of the American Legion, Gilmore City Post No.239. Legion members from the Clare and Manson Posts were also present and in uniform. The funeral services were held from St. Patrick’s Catholic church on the Lizard. The flag-draped, flower-laden casket was solemnly lowered to its last resting place, while one of the service men played that most beautiful of all farwells, “Taps.”
The young soldier lad leaves to mourn his passing his father, two brothers and a sister, besides his aged grandfather and aunts and uncles. A tribute from the American Legion was a beautiful replica of the American flag he loved so well, made up in red, white and blue roses. The respect and love in which he was held was evidenced by the hundreds of people who followed his remains to their last resting place. This young lad shared military honors with Harold D. Collins, also of the Lizard, a Private of the 822nd Aero Squadron. The bodies of James and Harold arrived at Hoboken Pier from France at the same time, and were brought on to the home in Lizard together. [Source – Gilmore City Enterprise, Gilmore City, Iowa, Thursday, June 9, 1921, p.1]