The AIF Project

Stephen BRIDGES

Regimental number1716
Date of birth15 October 1886
Place of birthSittingbourne, Kent, England
ReligionMethodist
OccupationWood cutter
AddressAmherst Street, Beaconsfield via Fremantle, Western Australia
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation29
Height5' 6"
Weight144 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs Nellie Bridges, Amherst Street, Beaconsfield via Fremantle, Western Australia
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date17 February 1916
Place of enlistmentBlackboy Hill, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name44th Battalion, 1st Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/61/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A29 Suevic on 6 June 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll44th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 12 March 1918
Discharge date17 June 1918
Other details

Wife wrote to Camp Commandant, Blackboy Hill, 13 March 1916: 'As I have cause to complain I would like you to give me a hearing. My Husband, Private S. Bridges, at present in camp at Blackboy at 52 Depot, has no right to be there at all, he is there without my consent, and if he had of been examined correctly he would not have passed. I came down from Kalgoorlie after he had left there, when I got here two of the three children took ill, one is ill at present. I would not mind so much if he was kept here on home defence purposes, and if anythink should happen to the child I could let him know. I think if some more men without family should go before those with the family, and let persons more eligible take his place. I am not a coward, but I like a fair deal.'

War service: embarked Fremantle, 6 June 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 21 July 1916. Taken on strength, 7th Training Bn, 7 August 1916. Found guilty, 15 May 1917, of being absent without leave, 8 am-midnight, 15 May 1917: awarded 3 days' Field Punishment No 2, and forfeited 5 days' pay. Found guilty, 13 August 1917, of being absent without leave fr4om 6 am, 13 August to 2 am, 15 August 1917: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No 2, and forfeited a total of 11 days' pay.

Proceeded overseas to France, 20 August 1917; taken on strength, 44th Bn, 21 September 1917.

Wounded in action, 17 October 1917 (gun shot wound, right wrist); admitted to 44th Casualty Clearing Station, 18 October 1917; transferred to 10th General Hospital, Rouen, 22 October 1917; reported seriously ill (gun shot wound and nephritis), 22 October 1917. Transferred to England, 27 October 1917, and admitted to 3rd General Hospital, Oxford, 30 October 1917 (condition serious); to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 4 January 1918; discharged on furlough, 14 January 1918, to report to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 28 January 1918. Admonished, 28 January 1918, for being absent without leave, 10.30 am-11.30 am, 28 January 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board 'Kenilworth Castle', 12 March 1918; transferred to 'Field Marshall' at Durban, 28 April 1918; disembarked Fremantle, 13 May 1918; discharged (medically unfit), 17 June 1918.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

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