BRIDSON, James Arthur
| Service Number: | 11917 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | 9th Field Ambulance |
| Born: | Frederickton, New South Wales, Australia, 1891 |
| Home Town: | Manly, Manly Vale, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Port Macquarie Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Bank accountant |
| Died: | Killed in action, France, 8 April 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
Pont-de-Nieppe Communal Cemetery Plot II, Row C, Grave No. 3. SOME DAY, SOME TIME, OUR EYES SHALL SEE THE DEAR FACE WE KEEP IN MEMORY |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Townsville 9th Field Ambulance Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Driver, 11917, 9th Field Ambulance | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 May 1916: | Involvement Driver, 11917, 9th Field Ambulance, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '23' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Argyllshire embarkation_ship_number: A8 public_note: '' | |
| 11 May 1916: | Embarked Driver, 11917, 9th Field Ambulance, HMAT Argyllshire, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
James Arthur was one of three sons of Hugh Ridgway Bridson and Minnie Bridson, of Manly, NSW, who enlisted and fought overseas during WW1. Only one of the boys survived.
James enlisted with his younger brother, Henry Alfred Bridson, during 1915, and they were given consecutive regimental numbers in the 9th Field Ambulance of the AIF.
James was killed in action near Armentieres on 8 April 1917. A fellow member of the unit wrote “Three of our gallant comrades were killed delivering rations to the Advanced DS. A shell landed at the side of wagon, smashed side to pieces, went clean through the back of the seat, right into the bodies of the two boys sitting alongside the driver and the latter got his wound in the head. The horses bolted and was stopped by the NZ. The driver was leaning over the brake which was full on and the reins still in his hand, unconscious, died a few minutes after they dressed his wounds. The other bodies were found about 30 yards apart. The lads were Ernie Porter, Jimmy Bridson (Driver) and Gus Dyer(sergeant). We all feel it very much as it's practically our first casualty of any note. The boys Porter and Bridson both have younger brothers in the unit.”
The three soldiers were all buried in the Pont-Da-Nieppe Communal Cemetery.
Pte. Bridson was a clerk in the Gulgong branch of the Australian Bank of Commerce. Known as ‘Jim’ Bridson he resided in Gulgong for a couple of years and had many friends in the district. He was a prominent figure in football circles. The father, Mr. Bridson, was accountant in the Mudgee branch of the Australian Bank of Commerce. Jim was a keen sportsman, a splendid shot and a fine horseman. He and his brother Harry left Australia as drivers in the 9th Field Ambulance and Harry at the time of enlistment was an officer of the Australian Bank of Commerce at Singleton.
Hugh Bridson, the eldest son, was an accountant and relieving manager of the Australian Bank of Commerce at Manly, enlisted with the artillery and died of gas poisoning wounds in France during June 1918.
Harry Bridson, the sole surviving son, was sent home to Australia in late 1918, for ‘family reasons’ due to the death of his two brothers.
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