Capt
Francis Harvey (Harvie) Bridgman
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1895 |
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Place of birth: Mackay, Queensland, Australia |
General information
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Profession: Farmer |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Captain |
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Service number: 2783 |
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Enlistment date: 02/06/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 49th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 07/06/1917 |
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Place of death: Delmonte Farm, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 22 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: 29 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Francis Harvey Bridgman was a twenty-two-year-old farmer from Mackay, Queensland. He served with the 49th Battalion Australian Infantry, part of the 13th Australian Brigade, of the 4th Australian Division. Francis enlisted in 1915 and quickly rose through the ranks. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant in March 1916. After four months obtained a commission as a Lieutenant. In September 1916 Bridgman was hospitalised in England after he received a gunshot wound in his right arm. After his return he was promoted captain with the 49th Battalion.
In June 1917 Captain Bridgman re-joined his unit at Neuve Eglise. On 7 June 1917 the 13th Brigade took part in an attack on the Messines-Wyschaete Ridge. Their objective was to capture two lines of trenches northeast of Messines. The 49th Battalion was specifically assigned to take position in Odo Trench and near Delporte Farm. By the 9th of June, the Battalion had captured the German lines.
During this action 66 men were killed, 29 went missing and 274 men were wounded. Captain Bridgman was killed in action during the attack on the 7th of June 1917. Eye-witnesses place him on the Messines Ridge, halfway to the German trenches, when he was hit by a shell.
A party buried his remains in the night of the 9th of June. Francis now has no known grave and the young man is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
In June 1917 Captain Bridgman re-joined his unit at Neuve Eglise. On 7 June 1917 the 13th Brigade took part in an attack on the Messines-Wyschaete Ridge. Their objective was to capture two lines of trenches northeast of Messines. The 49th Battalion was specifically assigned to take position in Odo Trench and near Delporte Farm. By the 9th of June, the Battalion had captured the German lines.
During this action 66 men were killed, 29 went missing and 274 men were wounded. Captain Bridgman was killed in action during the attack on the 7th of June 1917. Eye-witnesses place him on the Messines Ridge, halfway to the German trenches, when he was hit by a shell.
A party buried his remains in the night of the 9th of June. Francis now has no known grave and the young man is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Sources 7
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Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search?query=bridgman+&people=true&facet_rank=Captain Sources used |
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Australian War Memorial, War Diaries https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1343172 Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/ Sources used |
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Discovering Anzacs https://www.discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/person/100135 Sources used |
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National Archives of Australia https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=3121371&isAv=N Sources used |
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The AIF Project https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=32196 Sources used |
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The Long Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/ Sources used |