Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Harold was the third son of Herbert Arnold and Myrtle Scholes Born on the 1st August 1922. He had two older siblings, Leonard George and Stanley Arnold. Harold had just turned five when his 38-year-old mother died the following day at the family home in Dulwich. She was buried in the West Terrace Cemetery in what would become the family grave.
With the three boys to care for, Harold married Eva Olive Willcocks from Gawler in May the following year at the Gawler Baptist Church on the 31st March ’28.
Post school, Harold, known as Harry, worked as a wood machinist. In August ’39 he enlisted with the 10th Battalion of the Militia as 542562, giving his birth year as 1921 to suggest he was 18 years old. Then, with the outbreak of WWII, the following year on the 29th June 1940 he became one of the early enlistees. He added a further year to his age to enable him to enlist as a 20-year-old, rather than his 17 years of age. Enlisting on the same day, was 21-year-old Stephen Fitzgerald, SX6964, just a few numbers preceding Harry’s SX7100 and also a previous member of the Militia. Both were placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Their initial days were held in the Pavilions of the Adelaide Show Grounds at Wayville before the group moved to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills for their early training.
A few days of pre-embarkation leave allowed for time with the family before Harry left on the Stratheden on the 17th of November, arriving in the Middle East on the 17th December ’40. Steve Fitzgerald was quite quickly targeted for promotion, but the two young enlistees remained friends throughout, both becoming part of the legendary Rats of Tobruk – intended as a derogatory term, it was quickly adopted by the soldiers as a ‘badge of honour’ which was quickly embraced.
On the 1st July ’42 the 2/48th Battalion arrived in Amiriya as Rommel launched a withering attack. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan recalled that ‘The sky roared with battle, great clouds of dust billowed up from the combat. To the sullen rumble of the guns, reminiscent of Tobruk, the 2/48th dug in and prepared to make a stand should the German forces break through.’ The next day began with an early breakfast of cold bully beef. ‘So many of our own planes, however, were in the air that morning that the men were inclined to discount the possibility of a raid by enemy aircraft. So confident did they grow that when a number of aircraft were seen approaching from the direction when we had come, no action whatever was taken, and it was not until bombs began to fall that men dived for cover. The bombs straddled D Company, destroying a porte of 10 battery, 2/3rd Anti-tank regiment, killing a gunner. D Company had five casualties. SX6702 Lieutenant Dudley C. Williams, SX8459 Sergeant Joseph Buckley, Privates N Leaney, SX7100 Harold Bridges and WX9917 Jack Thompson. ‘Digging was now recommenced with greatly renewed vigor.’ Harry had sustained a severe bomb splinter to his right buttock and was treated in a British hospital with others injured in the blast.
He was finally able to return to his battalion in January the following year – well timed to finally return to Australia via Melbourne. Back in Adelaide, Harry’s older brother, 24-year-old Stanley enlisted with the Navy in May ’43, as PA3956, serving with the HMAS Cerberus (Shore). Seven months later, he was unfortunate to sustain a broken leg. This, combined with a pre-war injury cut short his service.
Following his welcome leave, Harry then entrained to Queensland to prepare for tropical conditions he would face in New Guinea, against a very different enemy. However, over a week of being absent without leave in August ’43 was financially challenging. Early the following year Harry developed a very high temperature (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), followed by malaria, causing him to be hospitalised.
A return to Brisbane in March ’44 heralded another unofficial week of leave and the inevitable fine. Harry had also carried malaria and scabies back home with him, spending time in a Queensland hospital. On his release Harry took a further four days ‘holiday’ and faced the inevitable fine before he again returned to service. Unfortunately, frustrations were evident when Harry’s language to an officer was considerably more ‘unwelcome’, as was the financial fine and being confined to barracks for a fortnight. Fortunately, the end of October ’45 Harry returned to Australia and thence home to Adelaide and his final discharge on the 7th November ’45.
Over the course of the war, close, lasting friendships were made. Sergeant Stephen Fitzgerald SX6964 M.M. married Gwendoline Montgomery in January the following year. He chose Private Bridges as his best man (and his brother, Lance Corporal Norm as his groomsman.)
The euphoria of peace that followed war also brought welcome news on Valentine’s Day 1950 with the announcement ‘HENDERSON— BRIDGES.— The engagement is announced of Sadie Elizabeth, only daughter of Mrs. and the late Mr. J. H. Henderson, of Eastwood, to Harold Keith Bridges, of Eastwood.’ Less than four months later, on the 4th July ‘50 that joy was shattered with Harry’s death, killed whilst riding his motorbike at Morphett Vale when his bike ran off the road, striking a tree. Harry’s body was brought by civil ambulance to the city morgue. He was just 28 years of age.
Advertiser Monday 5 June 1950, BRIDGES.—On June 4 (result of accident), Harold Keith, beloved youngest son of Herbert Arnold and the late Myrtle Bridges, late of 12 Maesbury street, Kensington, loved brother of Len and Stan, and loved nephew of Mr. and Mrs. George Bridges, 39 Hauteville terrace, East wood. Aged 28 years. BRIDGES.— On June 4, result of accident, Harold, loved fiancé of Sadie Henderson.
Advertiser Monday 5 June 1950, BRIDGES.— THE FRIENDS of the late Mr. HAROLD KEITH BRIDGES late 2/48th Batt. Second A.I.F. are respectfully Informed that his Funeral will leave the residence or his UNCLE Mr. George Bridges 39 Hautevllle terrace. Eastwood, on WEDNE8DAY. at 2 p.m., for the Centennial Park Cemetery.
Advertiser Tuesday 4 July 1950, BRIDGES.— Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Bridges and family, of Kensing ton, wish to THANK all kind relatives and friends for floral tributes letters, telegrams, cards, persona! expressions of sympathy in recent sad and sudden death of their dear son and BRIDGES.— Mr. and Mrs. G. Bridges, of Eastwood, wish to THANK all kind relatives and friends for floral tributes, letters, telegrams. cards, personal expressions of sympathy in recent sad and sudden death of their dear nephew Please accept this as personal thanks as all addresses are not known. BRIDGES.— Miss Sadie Henderson of 33 Hauteville terrace Eastwood, wishes to THANK relatives and friends for floral tributes in the sad loss of her loved fiancé. Harold Keith Bridges.
In the following years Harry continued to be remembered by his extended family and friends, including Leopold Zschorn, a family friend from Kensington and a Private who was also initially with the 2/48th Battalion.
Advertiser Monday 4 June 1951, BRIDGES. — In remembrance of Harold, accidentally killed June 4. 1950.— Inserted by 'Ma, Kath. Eddy, Eileen and Neil. BRIDGES.— Fondest memories of our dear friend Harold Keith, who passed away on June 4, 1950. Your memory is our dearest keepsake —Always remembered by Dorothy and Gordon. BRIDGES.— In loving memory of our dear friend. Harold Keith, who passed away June 4. 1950. Golden memories, silently kept, of one we loved and will never — Always remembered by the Zschorn family. 'BRIDGES.— In loving memory of our cousin Harold, accidentally killed June 4. 1950.— Always remembered by Jack. Verna and Margaret Hughes. BRIDGES.— In loving memory of our dear nephew. Harold, accidentally killed on June 4.1950. Little we knew that the close of morn, of the sorrow the day would bring. Little. we knew that the close of the day. We would feel death's cruel sting But those that loved and miss him Are the ones that tend his grave. —Inserted by his loving Uncle George and Aunty Mary.
Advertiser Wednesday 4 June 1952, BRIDGES.— In loving memory of our dear nephew Harold Keith, accidentally killed. June 4. 1950. Deep in our hearts a memory is kept, of a nephew we loved and will never forget. — Ever remembered by his Uncle George and Auntie Mary. BRIDGES.— In loving memory of Harold, passed away June 4. 1950.— Always remembered by the Zschorn family and Dorothy and Gordon.
Advertiser Thursday 4 June 1953, BRIDGES. —In loving memory of our dear nephew, Harold, accidentally killed June 4, 1950. Time changes many things, but not the memory this day brings. —Ever remembered by his Uncle George and Auntie Mary. BRIDGES. —In loving memory of Harold, who passed away June 4, 1950. —Always remembered by the Zschorn family.
Advertiser Friday 4 June 1954, BRIDGES.— In loving memory of our dear nephew Harold, accidentally killed on June 4. 1850. Those who loved you Never forget you. —Ever remembered by Uncle George and Aunt Mary.
Harry now lies in Centennial Park Cemetery, General B Path 12 Plot 979.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion