Police Monthly May 2012_FINAL_Layout 1 9/05/12 11:45 AM Page 20
F-Bradbury-Done
BRADBURY BLOOD
IS TRUE BLUE
Siobhan McMahon, Police Media Unit
At George’s attestation parade on 31 March 1980 at the Redfern Police
Academy are, from left, Ron Bradbury, Ben’s great grandfather Lacey,
Bob Bradbury (Ben’s grandfather) congratulating George, John Bradbury,
Peter Bradbury, Ken Bradbury and Ray Bradbury
20 PoliceMonthly MAY 2012
Police Monthly May 2012_FINAL_Layout 1 9/05/12 11:45 AM Page 21
The tenth member of the Bradbury family has
joined our ranks.
A
ttesting from the NSW Police
detective chief superintendent in
Academy as a probationary
charge of the CIB (Criminal
constable is a significant moment
Investigations Branch) and retired in
in the career of any police officer.
1987. He died in 2010.
For Ben Bradbury, who attested
The Bradbury policing dynasty did
this month, it also represents the
not stop there. Ken’s son, Peter, also
next chapter in an extraordinary
joined the Force, as did two of Bob’s
family tradition.
sons, George and Bill.
Ben is the fourth generation, and
“When I finished school in
the tenth member, of the Bradbury
November 1978, dad marched me
family to join the ranks of the NSW
into Police Headquarters in Sydney
Police Force.
and said, ‘You’re joining the cops,’”
The family’s policing lineage
recalls George, who is now a
started with Ben’s great grandfather,
detective inspector and duty officer
Lacey, who joined the police in 1929
at Brisbane Water LAC. “It wasn’t a
at the age of 24. He served mainly in
shock or an imposition; just a
the Boolaroo and Newcastle areas
natural progression.”
before retiring as a sergeant third
class in 1965.
Lacey and his wife, Nellie had
George was watching proudly
from the stands as the eldest of his
four children, 23-year-old Ben,
eight children: six boys and two girls.
attested on 4 May – making him the
Remarkably, five of their sons – Ray,
fourth generation Bradbury to join
Ron, Robson (Bob), Ken and John –
the Force.
became police officers.
In 1960, ABC TV broadcast a news
Ben took a less direct route to a
policing career than his father,
story about Lacey and his five police
completing a Bachelor of Forensic
offspring. The same year, all six were
Biology before enrolling at the
invited for a private audience with
Academy last August.
then Commissioner of Police
Colin Delaney.
Of all the brothers, Bob served the
“I’m interested in crime scene
work, but I always had in the back
of my mind that I also wanted to
longest. He spent 40 years in the
train as a police officer,” said Ben,
Force, during which he served as
who has been allocated to Redfern
commander of the Homicide Squad.
LAC. “I guess it’s in my blood.”
Bob went on to become the
TOP LEFT At George’s attestation parade on 31 March 1980 at the Redfern Police
Academy are, from left, John Bradbury, Ron Bradbury, Peter Bradbury, Ken Bradbury,
Ray Bradbury, Commissioner Lees, Police Minister Crabtree, Lacey (Ben’s great
grandfather) with George and his dad Bob (Ben’s grandfather)
TOP RIGHT Pictured in the Commissioner’s Office in 1960 are, from left, Ray, Bob,
Lacey, Ken, Ron and John Bradbury
MAY 2012 PoliceMonthly 21