William Francis Noel Bridges DSO (1890 - 1942)

Ancestors

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 First World War 1.2 Second World War 2 Sources

Biography

William Francis Noel Bridges DSO was born on 30th January 1890 at Middle Head, Mosman, New South Wales (Australia). Noel, to avoid confusion with his similarly-named father, was the eldest surviving son of (later Major General Sir) William Bridges and (later Lady Bridges) Edith Francis. ^[1]

First World War

Being commissioned as a Lieutenant at 25 years of age on 23rd August 1915, three months after his father died of wounds received at Gallipoli, Noel served in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), his young nation's overseas expeditionary force for the (First World) War. ^[2] He served on the Western Front with the 25th Australian Infantry Battalion. ^[3] Landing in France on 19th March 1916, the 25th was the first AIF battalion to arrive there. As a unit of the 2nd Division, it took part in its first major battle at Pozieres between 25th July and 7th August, in the course of which it suffered 785 casualties. After a spell in a quieter sector of the front in Belgium, the 2nd Division came south in October to attack again in the Somme Valley. The 25th Battalion took part in two attacks to the east of Flers, both of which floundered in the mud. Although it acted in a supporting role at the second Battle of Bullecourt, the 25th Battalion did not carry out a major offensive role again until 20th September 1917, when it was part of the 2nd Division's first wave at the Battle of Menin Road in Belgium. Victory here was followed up with the capture of Broodseinde Ridge on 4th October. The 25th reprised its role from Menin Road, in what was its last large-scale offensive action for the year. ^[4]

Noel married Doris French on 27th November 1917 in Pinner, eight kilometres (five miles) west of Hendon, London, England; probably whilst Noel was in country undertaking a training or promotion course. ^[5] Doris is listed as living at Fife, Scotland, on William's service documents.

He was wounded at Flanders in 1918.

In 1918 the battalion fought to turn back the German spring offensive in April, and then participated in battles at Morlancourt, Hamel, Amiens and along the Somme Valley as the German Army was pushed ever closer to defeat. Its final battle was on 3rd October 1918 when it took part in a successful attack to break through the German defences around Beaurevoir. ^[4]

On 17th September 1916, Noel was recommended for the Military Cross, however, the recommendation was unsuccessful. ^[6] He was Mentioned in Despatches, equivalent to today's Commendation for Gallantry, on 4th January 1917. ^[7] He was again recommended for a Mention in Despatches on 9th September 1917 ^[8] and awarded such on 28th December 1917. ^[9] Appointment to Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for exemplary service was gazetted in January 1918. ^[10][11]

Following the war he was awarded both the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Second World War

As a Lieutenant Colonel, Noel was attached to the Field Survey Company of the Federated Malay States Volunteer Force as the Japanese made their advance south through that country and was killed in action off Malaya on 1st January 1942. ^[12] William Francis Noel Bridges' sacrifice is recorded on the Singapore Memorial, Singapore, and at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. The commemorative roll includes those Australians who died while members of Allied Forces, the Merchant Navy, philanthropic organisations attached to the forces, or as war correspondents or photographers.

History, sadly, had repeated itself. Noel had been killed within the early weeks of his second war, as had his father in 1915.

Sources

1. ↑ New South Wales Birth Index #31947/1890
2. ↑ Australian War Memorial attestation papers: Major William Francis Bridges; accessed 23 May 2018
3. ↑ Australian War Memorial unit record: 25th Australian Infantry Battalion; accessed 23 May 2018
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Australian War Memorial unit record: 25th Australian Infantry Battalion; accessed 15 Aug 2022
5. ↑ UK FreeBMD Marriage Index Dec qtr 1917, vol 3a, page 757
6. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards (recommendation): Military Cross; accessed 23 May 2018
7. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Mention in Despatches; accessed 23 May 2018
8. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards (recommendation): Mention in Despatches; accessed 23 May 2018
9. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Mention in Despatches; accessed 23 May 2018
10. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards (recommendation): DSO; accessed 23 May 2018
11. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: DSO; accessed 23 May 2018
12. ↑ Australian War Memorial commemorative roll: 14014 Lieutenant Colonel William Francis Noel Bridges; accessed 23 May 2018