A PLAY has been written about Darlington's First World War heroes the Bradford brothers.

The Fighting Bradfords, by Tyneside playwright Carina Rodney, tells the story of the four brothers who between them were awarded two Victoria Crosses, a Distinguished Service Order and two Military Crosses.

Regarded as the most celebrated siblings in military history, three of the four paid with their lives.

The play has its premiere at the Gala Theatre in Durham on Thursday, September 8, with a cast of professional actors from the region, and runs until September 17

The brothers were born at Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland. The family moved to Morton Palms Farm, on the outskirts of Darlington, when the youngest, Roland, was aged two, and then to Milbank Road where they grew up before enlisting to serve their country.

Thomas, the eldest, born in 1886, received the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry during the second Battle of Ypres in which he was one of only 20 surviving men. He was the only one of the four to survive the war.

George, born in 1887, was awarded a posthumous VC for his "absolute self-sacrifice" after he was killed leaping into enemy fire in order to anchor his ship during high seas near Zeebrugge in Belgium, enabling his crew to escape.

James, born in 1889, was awarded the Military Cross for gallantly leading his men into an enemy trench, personally killing three Germans, capturing many prisoners and taking out two machine guns.

Roland was awarded the Victoria Cross for "conspicuous bravery and good leadership" and was promoted in 1917 to Brigadier-General, aged 25, the youngest in British Army history. He died the same year from wounds suffered in battle.

The play explores what drove the boys to become heroes. Influenced by a domineering father and an artistic mother, their childhood was filled with imaginative role playing and intensely competitive sport. They were bare-knuckle boxers, lovers of poetry and accomplished musicians.

The Fighting Bradfords has been produced in-house at the Gala Theatre, the first outside of its pantomime and stage school shows for six years. It draws on first-hand accounts, correspondence and family anecdotes.

The director is Psyche Stott. North-East actors Jamie Brown, Micky Cochrane, Chris Connel and Justin McDonald take on the roles of James, George, Thomas and Roland Bradford respectively. Jessica Johnson plays James’ wife Nancy and the Bradford’s sister Amy.

Tickets cost from £12-£15. Contact 03000 266600 or www.galadurham.co.uk. There is a pay what you like performance on Monday, September 12, booking available by phone or in-person only.

* Holy Trinity Church in Woodland Road, Darlington, close to the Bradford family home in Milbank Road, has a wall plaque memorial to the brothers and recently unveiled a new visitor panel which recounts their achievements.