26710, Private, 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Missing in Action on the 23rd April 1917 aged 36
The Arras Memorial
Reuben was born on the 30th April 1882, the son of John & Sarah Bradford of Lymington Road, Stevenage. He later lived at Hoares Cross, Braughing, near Ware with his wife, Sylvia, and their children, Florrie & George. He enlisted in the Army in the village of Buntingford, Hertfordshire.
He was killed when the Battalion was called to attack the village of Gravrelle as part of the British offensive at Arras. The battalion went straight through the village gaining its objectives and consolidating its position on the Northern outskirts. Although they were heavily shelled throughout the day, and also had to fight off a heavy German counter attack, they succeeded in holding on to their objective despite suffering some 229 casualties. Reuben was killed at some point during this action, probably from German machine gun fire which accounted for many of the Battalions casualties.
He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. (Bay 5)
Medal Entitlement: British War Medal & Victory Medal