Main CPGW Record
Surname: BRIDGE
Forename(s): George Andrew
Place of Birth: Ramsbottom, Lancashire
Service No: 32710
Rank: L/Corporal
Regiment / Corps / Service: York and Lancaster Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 8th (Service) Battalion
Division: 23rd Division
Age: 26
Date of Death: 1917-06-07
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Enclosure No.4 VIII. B. 36.
CWGC Cemetery: BEDFORD HOUSE CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
George Andrew Bridge was the son of Radcliffe and Catherine Bridge, née Clarke. Radcliffe was born at Tottington and Catherine at Blackburn, Lancashire. Radcliffe's christian name is sometimes written as Ratcliffe, but he signed himself as Radcliffe in the register when he married Catherine.
1901 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: Wellhouse Square - George A. Bridge, aged 9 years, born Ramsbottom, Lancashire, son of Ratcliff and Catherine Bridge.
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 40, Station Road - George Andrew Bridge, aged 19 years, born Ramsbottom, Lancashire. [George was boarding with Henry and Agnes Bird. George's parents were then living at Gillians, Barnoldswick.]
The British Army Service Record for George Andrew Bridge exists but may be incomplete. [George went to France with the 10th Bn Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) and was later transferred to the York and Lancaster Regiment.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte George A. Bridge, 13542, W. Rid. R.; L/Cpl 32710, York & Lanc. R. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 26.8.15. Assumed dead 7.6.17.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte George Andrew Bridge, 13542, 10th W. Rid. R.; 32710, 8th York & Lanc. R. Assumed Dead 7.6.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: L/Cpl George Andrew Bridge, 8th BN York & Lancs. Date and Place of Death: On or since 7.6.17 death pres'd. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Sister and Sole Legatee - Annie Crowther. £17 2s. 2d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for George. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mrs Catherine Bridge. Relationship: Mother. Deceased. Dependant: Mr Ratcliffe Bridge. Relationship: Father. Address 1. 10, Island Square, Earby, Nr Colone [sic], Lancs. Address 2. 17, Wesley Place, Earby, Nr Colone [sic], Lancs.
George was killed in action during the Battle of Messines, 1917, 7-14 June.
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
BRIDGE, George Andrew, aged 26, York and Lancs. Regt., 10, Island Square, [Earby], reported missing June 7, 1917 now presumed dead.
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L/Corporal George Andrew BRIDGE
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: York and Lancaster Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 23rd Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
02 November 1917
EARBY MEN MISSING
The worst fears are entertained by the relatives of two Earby soldiers.
One of these, Lance-Corporal George Andrew Bridge, York and Lancaster Regiment, was posted wounded and missing on the 7th. He was 26 years of age and the son of Mrs. Bridge, 10, Island Square, Earby. Enquiries instituted through the Red Cross have elicited the following reply:- "I deeply regret to say that our enquiries concerning Lance-Cpl. Bridge have had a very sad result. We have seen a man who tells us that he witnessed his death. This is Pte. Joseph Dolman, York and Lancs., now in No. 2 Woodlands Hospital, Wigan, who gives the following account:- "I saw G. A. Bridge killed on June 7th. It was dark when I saw him. I was about 10 yards off him at the time. That was the last I saw of him. When we came out of the trenches I heard that he had been buried. We were advancing at the time."
We cannot help fearing that this a true account, since Lance.-Cpl. Bridge has been missing so long without news. At the same time we are still going on with our enquiries, and shall let you know if we are able to learn anything further."
The other is Gunner Thos. Townson, R.F.A., son of the late Mr. Rd. Townson and Mrs. Townson, 5, Waddington Street, in respect of whom the following letter (dated October 22) has been received from an Army Chaplain:-
"Dear Madam, - I don't know if you have had news of Gunner T. Townson who was reported missing on the 7th - I am afraid it means killed. He went out, I understand, with two officers and a party of signallers that night and it was very dark. They lost their way and got almost into the German lines before they knew where they were. Three of the signallers were killed by machine gun fire, and it was impossible to recover their bodies. We held a memorial service this morning at which the whole battery was present, and the 'Last Post' was sounded. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you in your great grief."
22 March 1918
EARBY - Sad News
Mr. Bridge, 10 Ireland Square, Earby, has received official news of a son having been killed in France. We hope to give detail next week.
29 March 1918
EARBY SOLDIER'S FATE
News has been received by Mrs. Bridge, 10 Island Square, Earby, that her son, Lance-Corporal George Andrew Bridge, York and Lancaster Regiment, who has been missing since June 7th, 1917, is now presumed by the Army Council to have died on that date or since. Lance-Corporal Bridge was 26 years of age.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
02 November 1917
EARBY MEN MISSING
The worst fears are entertained by the relatives of two Earby soldiers. One of these, Lance-Corporal Geo. Andrew Bridge, York and Lancaster Regiment, was posted wounded and missing on June 7th. He was 26 years of age and the son of Mrs. Bridge, 10, Island Square, Earby. Inquiries instituted through the Red Cross have elicited the following reply:- "I deeply regret to say that our inquiries concerning Lance-Corporal Bridge have had a very sad result. We have seen a man who tells us that he witnessed his death. This is Pte. Jos. Dolman, of the York and Lancaster Regiment, now in No. 2, Woodlands Hospital, Wigan, who gives the following account:- "I saw G. A. Bridge killed on June 7th. It was dark when I saw him. I was about 10 yards off him at the time. That was the last I saw of him. When we came out of the trenches I heard that he had been buried. We were advancing at the time." We cannot help fearing that this is a true account, since Lance-Corporal Bridge has been missing so long without news. At the same time we are still going on with our inquiries, and shall let you know if we are table to learn anything further."
The other is Gunner Thos. Townson, Royal Field Artillery, son of the late Mr. Rd. Townson and Mrs. Townson, 5, Waddington Street, in respect of whom the following letter (dated October 22), has been received from an army chaplain:- "Dear Madam - I don't know if you have had news of Gunner T. Townson who was reported missing on the 7th. I am afraid it means killed. He went out I understand with two officers and a party of signallers that night, and it was very dark. They lost their way and got almost into the German lines before they knew where they were. Three of the signallers were killed by machine gun fire, and it was impossible to recover their bodies. We held a memorial service this morning at which the whole battery was present, and the 'Last Post' was sounded. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you in your great grief."
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