Gunner Herbert Chesters Bridge
L/601 Royal Field Artillery (Burnley Howitzers) 158 Bde
Died of Wounds 27th July 1916, aged 22
Lived at 142 Coalclough Lane
Buried in St Pierre Cemetery, France -II.E.4.
St Peters Memorial, Burnley

Herbert Chesters Bridge was the son of Elijah and Kate Lavinia Bridge of 6 Colne Road, Burnley (later of 30 Romford Street, off Padiham Road). He enlisted in Burnley in early 1915 as Gunner L/601 “B” Battery 158th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. (Burnley Howitzers)
His gravestone has “We leave him in thy gracious keeping” inscribed on it by his family.

L.V. Secretary’s Son (Burnley Express 5/8/1916 (P))

Mr and Mrs Elijah Bridge of 6, Colne Road have received the sad news this week that their only son Gunner Herbert Chester Bridge, of the Royal Field Artillery has died from gunshot wounds received in action . The first intimation was a letter received on Monday from Lieut. Harwood that Gunner Bridge had been wounded on 25th July, but Lieut. Harwood was hopeful that the wounds were not serious. Later a comrade in the same wrote to Mrs Bridge that her son had been wounded in the leg. Mr Bridge wrote immediately to Lieutenant Harwood and to the War Office in the hope of learning where his son had been sent and how he was progressing. The answer to these enquiries was a telegram received on Thursday that Gunner Bridge had died from his wounds on July 27th. Yesterday morning there was an official letter from the War Office to say that he had died at the New Zealand Hospital Amiens and the cause of his death being gunshot wounds.
Trooper Herbert Chester Bridge was the only son of Mr Elijah Bridge, the well known auctioneer and valuer and secretary for many years of the Burnley and District Licensed Victuallers Association. He was only 20 when joined the army (at Burnley) eighteen months ago and celebrated his 21st and 22nd birthdays with the colours. He was 22 only three weeks ago and went to the front 12 months ago being attached to “B” battery of 158th Brigade Royal Field Artillery in France. Latterly he was engaged in the dangerous work of signalling.
His last letter home was dated the 24th July, the day before he was wounded and was not, of course, received until after his death. In it he wrote;- “Things are very lively here and we had a dose of tear shell gas yesterday. At first I felt my eyes were smarting then they started watering, and it was not long before I had my goggles on. Four or five of our chaps have been wounded, though only slightly, and no wonder, for shrapnel is flying all day and night. Last night two of us had to find a break in our wires, and we had rather an exciting time because of the shrapnel, barbed wire gas and shell holes. However we arrived back without a scratch though how I don’t’ know. The sight around the trenches was awful and the risk big. A continual roar is always going on, and our artillery must be playing havoc in the German lines. I think on the whole the news is good, and that our progress will be slow but sure.
Before joining the Army Gunner Bridge was engaged in the warehouse of Mr Benn, leather merchant. He was actively associated with St Peter’s Church and School. He was a Sunday School teacher for 2 years and was also a member of the Church of England Men’s Society. Mr and Mrs Bridge have only one daughter left.”

The Burnley News of August 5th 1916 adds:-

“ He died from wounds at 5.15pm 27th July in the 1st New Zealand Stationary Hospital, Amiens. Enclosed with this letter was a message from Mr Lloyd George, Minister for War, assuring Mr Bridge of the deep sympathy of the King and Queen at his sorrow.
He was closely connected with St Peter’s Church and School having been secretary of the Boys’ Band of Hope.”

The following edition reported:-

“Walked To Dressing Station. Late Gunner Bridge’s Heroic Conduct.
A memorial service to the late Gunner Herbert Chesters Bridge “B” Battery 158th Brigade RFA, son of Mr Elijah Bridge of 5 Colne Road will be held at the Parish Church tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon. His father has received a letter from Lieut. F Harwood, deceased’s officer:- ‘With the deepest sorrow I tell you that your son has passed away. I cannot express my sorrow at your terrible loss, as the doctor assured me there was every hope. At the time your son was on duty at a signaller’s post, the German’s suddenly opened fire at it with dreadful result. It will be some comfort that your son was doing his duty at the time. Moreover he walked himself to the dressing station, in order to let another badly wounded man have the stretcher.”

The Burnley Express of 12th August 1916 also reported this:-

The Late Gunner H. C. Bridge
Mr. Elijah Bridge, the well known Auctioneer and valuer and secretary of the Burnley and District Licensed Victualler’s Association has received the following letter from Sec. Lieut. F Harwood of the 158th Brigade Field artillery, respecting the fate of his only son, Gunner Herbert Chester Bridge, who died from wounds on July 27th from wounds received in action two days before. etc. “

Notes
Herbert Charles (!) Bridge was christened at St Peter’s Church on 5/8/1894. His Parents were Elijah and Kate Lavinia Bridge of 96 Belvedere Road. His father’s occupation was listed as auctioneer.

A later report in the Burnley News stated:-
“Memorial Service
An impressive memorial service to the late Captain The Rev. Thomas Riley (Burnley Howitzers) and the late Gunner Herbert Chesters Bridge, RFA, was held at the Burnley Parish Church on Sunday afternoon. The congregation was mainly composed of the members of the C.E.M.S. Burnley Federation and the scholars of St Peter’s Sunday School. The service was conducted by the Rev. R.G.F Wyatt, who referred very sympathetically to the loss of these two men of high character. Just before he went from Burnley, Herbert Chesters Bridge was made a member of the C.E.M.S. The priest, Thomas Riley, conducted as his last service in Burnley a C.E.M.S. service. They laid down their lives for a good cause, and in doing so they had died the death of the Saints, so that Christ’s truth might prevail over the earth”