The Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalions

Valentine B. Bridge.

Valentine was a private, 30221, in the 14th Bn., Royal Warwickshire Regiment who was killed in action on Sunday, 3rd September 1916. Age 26. Born Stanwick, Northants, enlisted Peterborough. Son of Thomas and Georgina Bridge, of 8 High St., Catworth, Hunts. Formerly 1701, Hunts Cyclist Battalion.
He was posted to the 2/1st & 1/1st Battalion of the HCB and was put in C Company. He was posted to the base depot B. E. F. France on 26th July 1916, he was rationed up to and for that day. Order was part 2 No. 171 issued by W. L. Stephenson, 2/Lieut. & acting Adjutant, 2/1st Hunts. Cyclist Battalion. The order was issued at Well Camp Alford at 8-00 p.m., 28th July 1916.

From a local newspaper [possibly the Peterborough Standard] - dated 10/3/1917 Patriotic Catworth family. Mr. T. Bridge, blacksmith, of Catworth, has six sons serving in the forces, viz., Pte. W. H. Bridge, Yorkshire Regiment; Pte. E Bridge, Northants Regt. [in France]; Pte C.A. Bridge, Berks. Regt. [in hospital] Pte. V. B. Bridge, Warwick regiment [killed in action in France in September last], Pte. C.R. Bridge, R. F. A. [in France], and Pte. D. Bridge, Norfolks.

There was another son, the 7th but oldest son, who was not called up, was the grandfather of .Rachel Henderson who seems to think that as he was a blacksmith and farrier, presumably was keeping the remaining working horses going.

A unknown newspaper cutting noted him as being wounded and missing at some date before the 3/11/1916.

Valentine was killed on 3/9/1916, fighting with the 14thBn Royal Warwickshire Regiment - possibly when they were attacking Falfemont Farm on that day - he has no known grave and therefore is ccommemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France - Pier and Face 9 A 9 B and 10 B.

Valentine had an older brother in the HCB his name was Christian Albert Bridge.

In the Hunts Post newspaper dated October 20th 1916, there is an article "Easton Soldier Killed", which was a letter written about Benjamin Harrison by Albert, to Benjamin's sister Emily Beetles, who was another aunt of Frances Sprong. Valentine's name is also on the Great Catworth War Memorial

Valentine was the great-uncle of Rachel Henderson who has kindly provided information to this page. Some information was also provided by Frances Sprong.

If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@btinternet.com

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09/04/2012
Thiepval Memorial site. Martyn Smith ©

	Valentine was a private, 30221, in the 14th Bn., Royal Warwickshire Regiment who was killed in action on Sunday, 3rd September 1916. Age 26. Born Stanwick, Northants, enlisted Peterborough. Son of Thomas and Georgina Bridge, of 8 High St., Catworth, Hunts. Formerly 1701, Hunts Cyclist Battalion. He was posted to the 2/1st & 1/1st Battalion of the HCB and was put in C Company. He was posted to the base depot B. E. F. France on 26th July 1916, he was rationed up to and for that day. Order was part 2 No. 171 issued by W. L. Stephenson, 2/Lieut. & acting Adjutant, 2/1st Hunts. Cyclist Battalion. The order was issued at Well Camp Alford at 8-00 p.m., 28th July 1916. From a local newspaper [possibly the Peterborough Standard] - dated 10/3/1917 Patriotic Catworth family. Mr. T. Bridge, blacksmith, of Catworth, has six sons serving in the forces, viz., Pte. W. H. Bridge, Yorkshire Regiment; Pte. E Bridge, Northants Regt. [in France]; Pte C.A. Bridge, Berks. Regt. [in hospital] Pte. V. B. Bridge, Warwick regiment [killed in action in France in September last], Pte. C.R. Bridge, R. F. A. [in France], and Pte. D. Bridge, Norfolks. There was another son, the 7th but oldest son, who was not called up, was the grandfather of .Rachel Henderson who seems to think that as he was a blacksmith and farrier, presumably was keeping the remaining working horses going. A unknown newspaper cutting noted him as being wounded and missing at some date before the 3/11/1916. Valentine was killed on 3/9/1916, fighting with the 14thBn Royal Warwickshire Regiment - possibly when they were attacking Falfemont Farm on that day - he has no known grave and therefore is ccommemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France - Pier and Face 9 A 9 B and 10 B. Valentine had an older brother in the HCB his name was Christian Albert Bridge. In the Hunts Post newspaper dated October 20th 1916, there is an article "Easton Soldier Killed", which was a letter written about Benjamin Harrison by Albert, to Benjamin's sister Emily Beetles, who was another aunt of Frances Sprong. Valentine's name is also on the Great Catworth War Memorial Valentine was the great-uncle of Rachel Henderson who has kindly provided information to this page. Some information was also provided by Frances Sprong.
If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@btinternet.com
.	Return to Soldiers Section.	Return to Main Menu.
09/04/2012	Thiepval Memorial site.	*Martyn Smith* ©