Special Collections
Create new listFive: Drum Major J. H. Bridge, Essex Regiment
British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (3063 A.W.O. Cl.2. J. H. Bridge. Essex R.); War Medal 1939-45; Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (John Henry Bridge.); Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial (6005556 Sjt. J. H. Bridge. 5-Essex R.) very fine and better (5) £160-200
This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Long Service Medals to the Essex Regiment formed by Ian Miller.
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John Henry Bridge was born at Warley in 1897, the eldest son of William Bridge, a long-serving regular soldier in the Essex Regiment, and attested for the Essex Regiment in 1915. He served with the 1st/4th Battalion during the Great War in Palestine, and was wounded during the Third Battle of Gaza on 3 November 1917. Recovering, he was advanced Sergeant and distinguished himself later in the campaign, being Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 5 June 1919), with the Regimental History refers to his actions on 19 September 1918 thus: ‘Sergeant Bridge set a splendid example to his men.’
Bridge left the Territorial Army on the cessation of hostilities, and joined the Post Office in 1919. He re-joined “A” Company of the re-formed 4th Battalion on 16 March 1925, and was appointed the battalion’s Drum Major in 1928, before transferring to the 5th Battalion in 1934. Initially appointed Company Sergeant Major, he reverted to Sergeant Drummer in 1934, and was awarded the Efficiency Medal in 1935. He was discharged on 15 March 1939 but re-enlisted ten days later. Mobilised with his Battalion in September 1939 following the outbreak of the Second World War, he was finally discharged on 2 March 1940, thus qualifying for the War Medal. He was awarded the Imperial Service Medal in 1944 whilst serving as an Assistant Postal Inspector in Brentwood.
Sold together with a postcard photograph of the Drums of the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, taken at Cockwatch Camp, Colchester, 1936.
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