Marion Bradford (buried 1917)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Bradford
First name: 
Marion
Other Christian names: 
Gender: 
Female
Children: 
Unknown
Burial number: 
879
Born: 
0/0/1864
Died: 
21/09/1917
Buried: 
28/09/1917
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
NES
Cemetery row: 
5
Cemetery plot: 
8
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/spring.dance.modern
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
No
Headstone description: 
Marion is buried under the headstone of James Creagh, her first husband
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of my dear husband James Creagh late Capt. Royal Scots of Cahirbane Co. Clare Ireland died 12th April 1910 aged 73

Warning: this record has been marked as potentially upsetting

The information published on this website will include research obtained from the public domain. It may sometimes include things you might find upsetting, such as the details of their death or any misdemeanours that might have happened in their life. We feel it is important however to tell their full story.

Life story

Life story

Little is known of Marion's early life, although it seems as though she was also known as Mary.

Marion married James Creagh in Westminster in 1886. James was born in 1837 in Cahirbane, Co. Claire Ireland. James was the son of Capt. James Creagh of the Royal Navy. The Creagh family owned the estate of Cahirbane throughout most of the 18th and 19th century. The estate was situated near Kilmaleery Co, Clare Ireland. James obtained his commission as Ensign of the 1st Royal Regiment of Foot on 21st July 1854. He became Lieutenant on 12th January 1855. He served in the Crimean war from 19th January 1855 and was present at the siege of Sebastopol (city on the peninsula of Crimea) and obtained a medal with clasp and the Turkish medal (both awarded to military personnel who fought in the Crimean war). He became Captain on 2nd March 1860, he retired his commission in 1871.

By 1891 James had retired and he is living with Marion and his Niece and Mother at 1 Longfield Road Ealing. By 1901 they are living on their own with just 1 servant at 7 Napier Road, Kensington.

James died on 12th April 1910 at 31 St. Michael's Road Worthing, and left his estate of £323 to his Brother Charles. Marion continued living at Ostend 31 St Michaels Road Worthing, and had a live in Lady Help.

Marion married Herbert William Bradford a Commercial Traveller in Wandsworth London in 1912. They lived at Albert Palace Mansions Battersea. The marriage wasn't a happy one and Herbert had an affair during the marriage. Out of guilt he confessed this to Marion; although she was upset they remained goods friends. Marion committed suicide on 21st September 1917 due to narcotic poisoning. She sent a letter to her bankers which read- I Marion Bradford leave everything that I die possessed of to St. Dunstan's Hospital for blinded soldiers. I wish to be buried at Worthing with my late Husband Captain Creagh. May God forgive my Husband for causing me to do this. I feel that God will take me to him. I have written a cheque for £20 for funeral expenses, and I also wish the Public Executor to arrange everything. The coroner's verdict was suicide due to temporary insanity. The probate records show that Marion's estate of £716 (£42,000 today) was administered to her Husband Herbert

Burial researcher: 
Jackie Rooney

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
00/00/1864
Marriage
Maiden name: 
Wardell
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
James
Spouse one last name: 
Creagh
Marriage one date: 
00/00/1886
Marriage one address: 
London, England
Marriage 2
Spouse two first names: 
Herbert William
Spouse two last name: 
Bradford
Marriage two date: 
00/00/1912
Marriage two address: 
London, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
21/09/1917
Age (at time of death): 
45
Cause of death: 
Narcotic Poison Self administered. Suicide; Temporary Insanity;
Address at time of death: 
Albert Palace Mansions, 128 Lurline Gardens, Battersea, London, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
Herbert William Bradford status: Commercial Traveller
Probate pounds: 
£716

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1891 census: 

1 Longfield Road Ealing James (Head) 54, Marion (Wife) 27, May (niece) 16, Grace (Mother) 80, plus 2 servants

1901 census: 

7 Napier Road Kensington James (head) 64, Marion (Wife) 37, plus 1 servant

1911 census: 

Ostend, 31 St Michael's Road, Worthing where James and Marion Bradford lived
Ostend 31 St  Michael's Road, Worthing where James and Marion Bradford lived

Ostend 31 St Michael's Road Worthing Marion (head) 42, plus 1 servant

Miscellaneous information

Newcastle Daily Chronicle 26th Sept. 1917 - Suicide's Legacy to St. Dunstan's -

Suicide during temporary insanity was the verdict returned at a Battersea inquest yesterday on Marion Bradford, 45, wife of a commercial traveller living at Albert Palace Mansions, Battersea. The coroner read the following letter which she had sent to her bankers: "I Marion Bradford leave everything that I die possessed of to St. Dunstan’s Hospital for blinded soldiers. I wish to be buried at Worthing with my late Husband Captain Creagh. May God forgive my Husband for causing me to do this. I feel that God will take me to him. I have written a cheque for £20 for funeral expenses, and I also wish the Public Executor to arrange everything". Mr Bradford said that six months ago he confessed to his wife that he had been unfaithful, and she seemed to brood over it. The Coroner: Why did you confess? - Witness: I thought it my duty to do so. Witness added that they had no quarrel, but were good friends. In another note also left she said: "Bury me in my fur coat" The Coroner: Why did she say that? - I could not say. Medical evidence showed that death was due to narcotic poisoning, and that deceased had been addicted to taking veronal.