Name
Albert Edward Bridges
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/09/1916
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
20896
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2C
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Albert Edward Bridges was born in Hitchin circa 1880 and the son of Daniel and Emily Bridges (née Sharpe) , who it is thought married on 20 September 1874.
He was recorded as Albert in some records and as Edward in others.
In 1881 the family were living at Hitchin Hill, Hitchin. Parents Daniel (28) was a carpenter, his Emily (27). The children were listed as: Emily (5), Minnie (4) and, Albert (1) – believed Albert Edward.
In 1891 they were still in Hitchin Hill, Daniel and Emily are listed with Daniel still a carpenter. The children are now: Frank (17) who was missing from the previous census, Minnie (14), Edward (13) - believed Albert Edward, Arthur (9), Ernest (7), Kate (1).
By 1901 they had moved to 20, Wratten Road, Hitchin, an address that is used in all subsequent records. Emily was now listed as head of the household and working as a charwoman. Perhaps Danield had died but this record has not yet been found. The children now listed were: Edward (22) - believed Albert Edward Bridges and working as a general labourer, Arthur, Ernest and Kate.
Present in 1911 at the same address, were Emily, recorded as married 26 years with 12 children of whom 7. Of the children only Edward - believed Albert Edward and now a jobbing gardener labourer and Kate were present. However, a boarder, Harry Lovell was present.
Official records recorded Albert Edward as born Hitchin and living there when he enlisted in Bedford.
He served through the South African (Boer) War. Later he worked in George Jackson's Sale Yard in Hitchin.
Wartime Service
In the Great War, Albert was posted to the 8th Battalion of the Bedfords and given the Regimental Number 20896. He had been in France for nine months when he was rep[orted missing and then killed in action.
The 8th Battalion attacked a strongpoint known as the ‘Quadrilateral’ opposite Ginchy and Bouleaux Wood on the 15th September 1916. Of the tanks that were supposed to have been in advance of the infantry, only one appeared and that immediately stuck in the mud. In the attack they were assisted by the Heavy Section of the Machinegun Corps. Zero hour was 6.20am in three assault waves. Quadrilateral on the left flank with ‘B’ Company attacking the trench leading to it. At 6.00am heavy artillery opened a slow barrage on the line Morval to Les Boeufs. At zero hour the barrage became more intense but was cut short leading to numerous casualties. At 6.00pm they were relieved and put into Brigade Reserve. The attack had failed and the casualties were numbered in hundreds.
He has no known grave and is remembered on Pier 2 Face C of the great Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in France.
Additional Information
His pension records give his mother as Mrs Emily Bridges of 20 Wratten Road, Hitchin, she was awarded pension 12s 6d a week from 25 September 1918.
After his death £4 8s 5d was authorised to go to his mother authorised on 15 March 1917 and later a war gratuity of £5 was authorised to be paid to her on 7 November 1918.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
