Pte 406704 Thomas Henry Bridson

• Age: 24
• From: Douglas I.O.M
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 29th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

Thomas was serving in the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 406704 when he was killed in action on the 29^th April 1918 during the German Spring Offensive. 

On the day of his death 29th April 1918, the Battalion was serving on the Ypres Salient and was in the front line at Elzenwalle, near Ridge Wood, awaiting a renewal of the German assault on that front.

At 02.30 am the attack began with a devastating bombardment along the whole battle front, from the forward positions back to a depth of over a mile. At 6am the enemy Infantry attacked, the main force of the assault being directed at a position near Ridge Wood, where one of the Battalion’s forward listening posts was captured and held. Then, 16999 Company Sergeant Major G Sutton of No.1 Company gallantly drove out the attackers with Mills Bombs, an action for which he was later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. After a strong defence along the Battalion frontage, the Germans withdrew.They continued their artillery barrage throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon, however, and at about 17.00 began to mass once more for another Infantry attack. This was contained by Rifle and Lewis Gun fire, until a large British Artillery barrage at 18.00 finally broke up all enemy activity.

Thomas' body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

Soldiers Effects , Army pay of £10 5s 3d, War Gratuity £14, and Pension to mother Ann Elizabeth Bridson, 5 Drinkwater Street, Douglas. The Pension record also states her death as 15-4-19, confirmed by the Isle of Man Examiner on Saturday April 26th 1919

DEATHS 

BRIDSON - April 15th, at 5 Drinkwater Street, Douglas, Ann Elizabeth Bridson, aged 54 years. Interred at Braddan  Cemetery April 17th. 

His anniversary was recorded in the Isle of Man Times Apr 26th 1919 courtesy of Imuseum.Im

BRIDSON - In loving memory of our dear cousin, Thomas Henry Bridson, (K.L.R.), who was killed in France, April 29th 1918.

Somewhere in France in a soldier's grave

Lies our cousin amongst the brave;

From earthly cares to Heavenly rest,

Missed by those who loved him best.

- (sadly missed by his uncle and cousins, 31 Hope Street)

BRIDSON - In sad but loving memory of our two nephews, Private T. H. Bridson, who was killed in action in France, April 29th 1918, in his 24th year, and Corporal T. E. Bridson, who was killed in action in France, May 19th 1918, in his 32nd year.

Relentless death amongst us does come,

And bitter grief imparts;

It takes the loved ones from our homes,

But never from our hearts.

- (Ever remembered by Mr and Mrs Taylor 6 Drinkwater Street, Douglas.)

Thomas is also commemorated on the Holy Trinity Church War Memorial, Douglas, Isle of Man.

We currently have no further information on Thomas Henry Bridson, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.