Bradfield, John Edward (1823-1902)

posted by Scott Andrew Bird

John was born on the 29 Sep 1823 and baptised on 24 Oct 1823, in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

In his early days, John worked as a Labourer. Later he became a professional soldier, serving in the Engineer Corps in the Crimera Campaign. A family legend tells that he witnessed the famous 'Charge of the Light Brigade' at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimea Campaign.

John married Maria CREW in the Stepney Parish Church, East London on 5 Oct 1846.

During 1856 John & Maria decided to emigrate to Australia. They arrived in Queensland aboard the New Great Britain on the 6th January 1857, moving to Ipswich soon after arriving.

Along with brothers-in-law William Henry CREW & Charles PENNELL he ran a very successful Brickmaking business during the 1860s in Ipswich. Whilst the town developed they prospered, supplying the bricks for many public buildings. However with the downturn in the late 1860s, the business failed around 1870. He tried farming but it was not for him. Later he took a position with the Railway (as a Fettler) in Ipswich, Queensland where he worked until retirement in 1891.

John and Maria together had nine children, Richard John Edward (1849-1932), Ann Susan (1850-1855), James Austin Bailey (1852-1921), William Henry Crew (1854-1892), Mary Maria (1857-1884), Susan Ann (1859-1932), George Matthew (1862-1863), Georgina Caroline (1864-1928), John Job Crew (1866-1943) and Clara Jane (1870-).

John died in Brisbane Street, Ipswich, Queensland on the 28 June 1902 and was buried in the C of E Cemetery, Ipswich, Qld.