Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A most unusual Second War ‘Station Master’s’ M.B.E. and Great War ‘Railway Operations Division’ D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Sergeant James Bridger, Royal Engineers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, in its Royal Mint case of issue; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s breast badge, silver and enamels, in its case of issue; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (WR-269264 Sjt: J. Bridger, R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (256771 C.Q.M. Sjt. J. Bridger. R.E.); Defence Medal; France, Third Republic, Order of the Black Star of Benin, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver and enamels; Romania, Kingdom, Order of the Star, 2nd type, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver and enamels, the last six mounted semi-court style as worn, good very fine (8) £1,200-£1,500

M.B.E. London Gazette 4 January 1943: ‘James Bridger, Esq., D.C.M., Station Master, Victoria and Battersea Park, Southern Railway Company. For services to Civil Defence.’

Order of St John, Serving Brother, London Gazette 6 January 1956.

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919; citation London Gazette 3 September 1919:

‘WR/269264 Sjt. J. Bridger, Rly. Oper. Div., R.E. (Dulwich).
He was i/c of Vlamertinghe station from August, 1917, to April, 1918. Throughout this period, and particularly in April, 1918, when his station was regularly bombed and shelled, he showed a fine example of devotion to duty and courage. Since April he has been stationed at Berguette, where he has also displayed his fine qualities under trying conditions.’

Sold with original Diploma and Buckingham Palace letter granting permission to wear insignia of Chevalier of the Order of the Star of Roumania conferred upon him by His Majesty the King of Roumania on the occasion of his recent State visit to this country’, dated 12th December, 1938; and with Buckingham Palace letter granting permission to wear insignia of Chevalier of the Order of the Black Star of Benin conferred upon you by the President of the French Republic, dated 9th May, 1939.

James Bridger was born in London on 1 August 1890, and entered the service of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway as Learner in 1904; War Service 1916-1919; appointed Assistant Station Master, Victoria, 1927; Deputy Chief, Freight Section, Waterloo, S.R. 1928; Yard Master, Norwood Marshalling Yard, 1929; Station Master, Guildford, 1935; Station Master, Victoria, 1938; Assistant Divisional Superintendent, Redhill, afterwards redesignated District Traffic Superintendent, Southern Region,1945. James Bridger, M.B.E., D.C.M., retired on 31 July 1955.