We Will Remember Them

Monday 26 December 2016

25 December, 1916. Christmas at Ontario Military Hospital, Orpington, Kent, England

100 years ago today ...

This postcard/photo was sent home by my maternal grand uncle -
Private 602 Edward Samuel BRIDGEMENT to his parents in Sydney, NSW, Australia, whilst he was recuperating at Orpington.

It appears that the postcard/photo was taken at Christmas time in 1916.

On the reverse side of the card it is addressed as coming from 'Ontario Military Hosp., Orpington, Kent, England' and dated '7 Jan 1916'. However, I believe the card should have been dated 7 Jan 1917, as Edward was actually at Medinet Habu, Luxor, Egypt in January 1916.

He was injured at Pozieres, France, on 19 July 1916.

In the postcard message to his mother and father he says -

"This is a photo of our ward taken at Christmas time, we had a splendid time".

Therefore, this photo would have been taken around Christmas Day 1916.

Edward is sitting on the floor in the front row, third from the left.

Wednesday 23 March 2016

August 1914 - Paddy left ...

Found in the early pages of a diary which later became a 'Diary of the War 1914-1915, 1916' by Ada Anna Bridgement.

Paddy left Aug 1914

Bridgement, Ada Anna. "Diary" (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1912-1916), p. 9; privately held by John Terence. Mulholland, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Margate, Queensland, Australia, 2013. Mr Mulholland was the son-in-law of the diary's author.

Sometime between 22 January 1912 and 1914

Found in the early pages of a diary which later became a 'Diary of the War 1914-1915, 1916' by Ada Anna Bridgement.

In your long chain of

friendship

Count me a link

Thomas Walden

Bridgement, Ada Anna. "Diary" (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1912-1916), p. 7; privately held by John Terence. Mulholland, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Margate, Queensland, Australia, 2013. Mr Mulholland was the son-in-law of the diary's author.

© Geoff Mulholland 2013 - 2016

22 January, 1912 - Many a ship has gone to sea ...

Found in the early pages of a diary which later became a 'Diary of the War 1914-1915, 1916' by Ada Anna BRIDGEMENT.

22=12=12

Many a ship has gone to sea

And lost for the want of a rudder

Many a girl has lost her boy

Through talking to a mother

E. S. Bridgement

Bridgement, Ada Anna. "Diary" (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1912-1916), p. 5; privately held by John Terence. Mulholland, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Margate, Queensland, Australia, 2013. Mr Mulholland was the son-in-law of the diary's author.

Sometime between 6 January 1912 and 22 January 1912 Think of me oftimes dearest ...

Found in the early pages of a diary which later became a 'Diary of the War 1914-1915, 1916' by Ada Anna BRIDGEMENT.

Think of me oftimes dearest

though we are far apart

others may have their comforts

but you still have my heart

G R Graves

Bridgement, Ada Anna. "Diary" (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1912-1916), p. 3; privately held by John Terence. Mulholland, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Margate, Queensland, Australia, 2013. Mr Mulholland was the son-in-law of the diary's author.

6 January 1912 Miss Ada Bridgement

Found in the early pages of a diary which later became a 'Diary of the War 1914-1915, 1916' by Ada Anna BRIDGEMENT.

Miss Ada Bridgement

18 & 20 Regent Street

City

6 " 1 " 12

Bridgement, Ada Anna. "Diary" (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1912-1916), front and back covers, p. 1; privately held by John Terence. Mulholland, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Margate, Queensland, Australia, 2013. Mr Mulholland was the son-in-law of the diary's author.

© Geoff Mulholland 2013 - 2016

Tuesday 8 March 2016

10 February, 1916, Rifleman McWilliams, KIA

Rifleman 17/1344, Herbert McWilliams was killed in action on 10 February, 1916. Herbert was 19 years of age. He was the son of Thomas (deceased) and Ellen McWilliams, of 9 Abingdon Street, Belfast.

In Memory of Rifleman Herbert McWilliams
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/72009/McWILLIAMS,%20HERBERT

Herbert is buried in Plot II, Row B, Grave 34, Auchonvillers Military Cemetery; Auchonvillers Communal Cemetery, Auchonvillers, Somme, Picardie, France.

© Geoff Mulholland 2013-2016

Sunday 10 January 2016

January 9, 1916, Medinet Habu, Luxor, Egypt

In January 1916 Private Bridgement was at Medinet Habu, Luxor, Egypt and he sent this postcard to his father on 9 January, 1916 -

Postcard R 150 La cour du temple de Medinet Habou -
Court of the temple of Medeenet Haboo.
Rommler & Jonas Dresden.
Postcard dated 9 Jan 1916 -
from Edward Samuel BRIDGEMENT to his father

Dear Father, Priv E. Bridgement

Just a line to let 602 Pioneers 30th Batt.

you know that I am in 8th Brigade AIF Egypt

the best of health & 9 Jan 1916

I hope it leaves yourself & all at home the same.

We are having very dirty weather over here

at present,. The sand would cut your eyes out.

I wrote you a letter & Postcard last mail, so I

have know[no] news to tell this time. I believe

they have Conscription in England if it his[is]

true it may make the single men in

Australia enlist better. Soldiering his[is] a

very healthy life. I suppose Cyril Harper's

wife soon be with us. Casey Mitchell

wishes to be remembered to you and shall

have the Mascot. Well Dad I will write a

letter next mail. So I will close with the

very best of love, from your ever loving son Ted.

11 December, 1915. Suez. Disembarked HMAT "Beltana".

Private 602 E.S. Bridgement embarked HMAT "Beltana" on 9 November 1915 at Sydney and disembarked at Suez on 11 December 1915.

Army Form B. 103 Regimental Number 602, Private, BRIDGEMENT Edward Samuel