Police Constable John Leslie Bradbury

John Leslie Bradbury was born on July 29th, 1911, to Ernest and Helen Bradbury of Aurora, Ontario. Bradbury grew up there, attending high school and serving in the Canadian Militia part-time with the 12th York Rangers, attaining the rank of Corporal. Bradbury left to study Science at Queen’s University. After two years of studies, Bradbury moved to Toronto, again serving in the militia with the 48th Highlanders of Canada, and thereafter joined the Toronto Police Service. He was sworn in as Police Constable No. 100 and served out of No. 5 Police Station, in the area of Davenport and Avenue Road. He lived at 297 Briar Hill Ave with his wife Ruby and their three children John, Joan and Peter.

On June 26th, 1940, PC Bradbury enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force at No. 1 Manning Depot in Toronto. Bradbury was selected as air crew and succeeded in pilot training. Bradbury proceeded to the United Kingdom and was assigned to Bomber Command where he rose to the rank of Pilot Officer. Bradbury was then posted to No. 20 Operational Training Unit at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.

On the night of March 31st, 1942, Bradbury was the pilot in command of a Wellington Bomber aircraft, identification number R1760, on a training mission for night-flying and bombing practice. Suddenly, while flying over the North Sea 80 kilometres from land, the aircraft's engines failed and the propeller hub caught fire. 

Bradbury set a new course for the coast, ordered his crew to dinghy stations, and attempted a landing at sea. While attempting to land, a main propeller broke off and Bradbury was unable to maintain correct height. At 4 minutes after midnight, April 1st, 1942, R1760 crashed into the North Sea one mile off of Cruden Bay, Scotland and sank within five seconds. Bradbury was killed along with three of his crew. Due to Bradbury’s leadership and swift actions, two of his crew were rescued from their dinghy with slight injuries. 

Police Constable John Leslie Bradbury is commemorated at the Air Forces Memorial - Runnymede in Surrey, England.