Much sadness at death of Donegal’s Jadotville hero Bobby Bradley

There is much sadness at the death of Siege of Jadotville hero Bobby Bradley from Killea.

The retired soldier had been living at Nixon’s Corner, near Derry. He was among Jadotville veterans to receive a very belated medal for his service at the 1961 siege.

Bobby’s remains are reposing at his son Martin’s home, Kildrum Upper, Killea, F93 RCC2.

The funeral will leave from there on Monday morning at 10.20am, going to the Church of Immaculate Conception, Killea for Requiem Mass at 11am, followed by interment in Newtowncunningham cemetery.

The Killea man was presented with his medal, An Bonn Jadotville, in 2018 at a special ceremony at Killea Community Hall, hosted by the Irish UN Veterans Association. Having suffered a stroke a few years earlier, he was unable to join former comrades for the main presentation ceremony for Jadotville veterans in Athlone in 2017. 

The Siege of Jadotville took place in September 1961, during the United Nations intervention in the Katanga conflict in Congo-Léopoldville, in Central Africa.

A Company, 35th Battalion (UN service) of the Irish Army ONUC contingent was attacked by Katanga Gendarmerie troops loyal to the Katangese Prime Minister Moise Tshombe.

Despite being outnumbered and having limited weapon resources, the besieged Irish soldiers resisted assaults for six days with no loss of life. A relief force of Irish and Swedish troops failed to reach them. The company was eventually forced to surrender after running out of ammunition. They had inflicted heavy casualties on the Katangese and their mercenaries, who had grossly underestimated the Irish soldiers’ capabilities. 

They were subsequently held as prisoners of war for approximately one month.

A book by Declan Power, The Siege at Jadotville: The Irish Army’s Forgotten Battle was published in 2005, bringing the heroic efforts of the soldiers into the spotlight.

The book was adapted for a film starring Jamie Dornan, with the screenplay by Donegal writer Kevin Brodbin. It was first screened in 2016, and was distributed in cinemas and on Netflix. The film served to bring the Jadotville story to a wide audience, and pressure mounted to properly honour the soldiers who had fought so valiantly in the Congo. 

In September 2016, the members of the 35th Infantary Battalion A Company, were awarded a Presidential unit Citation for their valour and courage.

The then Minister for State at the Department of Defence Paul Kehoe presented the citations to surviving veterans and family members of those now deceased at Custume Barracks in Athlone. It was the first time in the history of the Irish State that an entire unit was honoured in this way.

The minister also commissioned an insignia recognising the professional performance of the men of A Company.

Speaking at the event, he said: “I am very pleased to present this Unit Citation which recognises the bravery and courage of A Company during the Siege of Jadotville whilst cut-off from support and reinforcements.

“The United Nations Operation in Congo was the first peacekeeping mission in which significant numbers of Irish soldiers took part. A total of 6,000 Irish soldiers served in the Congo from 1960 until 1964 and I want to take the opportunity to recall the contribution of all who served in the various Irish contingents over the course of this long Mission. 

“Ireland can be justifiably proud of all our brave men and women who have contributed to the cause of peace and security. Our continued participation in United Nations missions illustrates the very positive and practical difference that small countries, like Ireland, can make in the world’s trouble spots.”

The presentation of Bobby Bradley’s medal in his home village in 2018 was a proud day for the community of Killea, and for Bobby and his family.