Lieutenant-Colonel Bob Bradburn
Algonquin Regiment

This officer has the knack of ‘rubbing people the wrong way.’ He is inclined to be positive in his ideas. He was NOT very popular with his fellow students. However, he seemed to recognize that he was at fault in some way & was seeking guidance. A big improvement was noted in his general attitude during the last month.

 (RMC Company Commanders Course report, 25 Sep 1941)

Born in Edmonton in 1909, Robert Archibald Bradburn was a golfer, sportsman, president of the city’s athletic club and militia officer. Commissioned in the 19th Alberta Dragoons since 1929, he mobilized for active service with the Edmonton Regiment in 1939 and went overseas as a captain in the South Alberta Regiment in 1942. The unit deployed as the 29th Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment to Normandy with the 4th Division in July 1944.

Bradburn served as a “B” Squadron commander until 13 August when he was appointed to command the Algonquin Regiment. He replaced Lieutenant-Colonel A.J. Hay who had been severely wounded and paralyzed during the fighting in Falaise. As the battalion war diary reparked, “The S.A.R. loss will be an Algonquin gain.” Bradburn led the northern Ontario battalion over the next eight months through to the liberation of the Netherlands. For his efforts, he would be made Officer in the Orange Order of Nassau:

At all times he was a splendid example to all ranks under his command and of great assistance to the civilian authorities with whom he came in contact … There can be no doubt that Lieutenant-Colonel Bradburn was an outstanding influence on his troops in their efforts to free Holland and facilitate the rapid return of pre-war conditions in the province of South Brabant.

To the press, he described the final stage in the campaign in terms of a football match: “Right now the score is still about the second down with a few yards to go—wish we could hand the ball to Bob Fritz because we can’t well carry the ruddy thing some other way. Never was the goal line surer and soon we’ll be home again” (Edmonton Bulletin, 23 Dec 1944, 14).

Worn out by prolonged service, he requested to be relieved of command on 15 April 1945. Following a confidential report he was replaced by Lieutenant-Colonel J.F.R. Akehurst, a former Algonquin officer and veteran from campaigns in the Aleutians, Italy, and southern France. The war diary noted of the former CO’s departure:

Always an inspiring leader, with his steadfast courage and unruffled calm, he did on several occasions personally conduct some very hectic exchanges of fire. Now after having won the admiration and respect of all who served under him, he leaves us amidst a host of good wishes—Well done Sir, you have earned your rest—May you now enjoy it.

Bradburn served as commanding officer of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment from 1954 to 1958. He retired from the reserve army at the rank of brigadier in 1963. In civilian life, he was Alberta manager for a distillery and was active in the promotion of youth military training and sports.

He died in Edmonton on 19 October 1988.