he was born on 27 april 1863 in calcutta, india to premier of tasmania, sir edward braddon. he moved to invercargill in 1882 on transfer with the bank of australasia. he played his club rugby for invercargill rugby club but his provincial rugby for otago as the invercargill-centred southland rugby football union did not split away from otago until 1887. he was selected for the first new zealand international team, and played in seven of the eight games in australia in 1884 and is recognised as an otago's first all black despite playing in invercargill at the time of his selection. braddon later played for new south wales from 1888 until 1892.