BRIDGE, John {Harry}



No.60287, Private, John BRIDGE
Aged 42


101st Company, Labour Corps
formerly No.G/28995, 34th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
Died of his Wounds Saturday, 18th May 1918


It seems more than likely that this man was Harry BRIDGE in the family, John BRIDGE to the military since the family members match in both sets of records.

Harry Bridge was born in Risby on 9th December 1875 (Thingoe Q1-1876 4A:551) son of William and Sarah BRIDGE (née BRIDGE).

1881 census...Aged 5, Harry Bridge was at Church Cottages, Risby with his father William BRIDGE [51] farm labourer; his mother Sarah [38]; brother David[13] a farm labourer; sisters Mary Ann [11] and Hannah [9]. All were born in Risby.

1891 census...Aged 15, farm labourer, Henry was at Church Cottages, Risby with his widowed mother [47], brother David [23], farm labourer; sisters Mary Ann [21] and Hannah [18]; uncle Robert BRIDGE [57] born Risby. His father appears to have died in 1890 (Thingoe Q2-1890 4A:377)

1901 census...He may well be the John BREACH aged 24, born Risby, in 3rd Suffolks in Guernsey. At Church Cottages, Risby were his mother [57] recorded as married, brother David [30 ?] and sister Mary A [28 ?].

This newspaper cutting seems to confirm that John was in Risby in 1903. A much longer article in the East Anglian Daily Times names the brother as David.


His re-enlistment papars in 1905 give his wife as Nellie, living at 10 Church Walk, Bury St.Edmunds

1911 census...Not found His mother was at Church Cottages, Risby with his brother David [43] and sister Mary Ann [39] and niece Jessie BRIDG [5] born Risby.

Marriage records show a John Bridge marrying Beatrice Maud NUNN in 1901 (Thingoe Q2-1901 4A:1469) but our man's militia records give his wife as Nellie. Added to which by 1911 John and Beatrice Bridge have two daughters, and John's age is given as 43 plus they are both in the 1939 register, so not our John.
The Army gives John Bridge's legatees as his brothers and sisters (David, Robert, Mary A and Hannah (Martin) so this Johm is our man. Finding a marriage to and death of Nellie will clinch it.



As John BRIDGE he served in the Militia (3rd Battalion Suffolk Regiment)# 6873. The attestation paper (re-enlistment) has BREACH pencilled at the top. He was discharged in 1903.
He re- enlisted in Bury St Edmunds on 25th March 1905 in 3rd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment (Militia). He gave his age as 29 , born and living in Risby, working as a labourer for Mr Sturgeon, in Bury St Edmunds. He was 5 feet 7 inches (170.2 cm) tall, weighed 148 lbs (67.3 kg), chest 37" to 39" (94 to 99.1 cm), blue eyed, brown hair, Church of England. He was married to Nellie, at 10 Church Walk, Bury St Edmunds
Despite being deemed fit for the militia on March 9th 1905, he was then discharged in May as "unlikely to be an efficient soldier".

"Soldiers Died" has him born in Risby, enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds, formerly 28995 Royal Fusiliers, died of wounds.

This all that has been found, with the changes of names and lack of records he has made a good job of getting lost. His "Soldier's Personal Effects record does give that he had been gassed, hence, presumably, his transfer to the Labour Corps. CWGC have his brother D (David) Bridge at 5 Church Cottages, Risby.



photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



John Bridge is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, grave Q:3:H:19

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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