New Zealand Ancestor looking for Descendant COMPLETED

[YourAncestors]

I have a photograph of a New Zealand Army Officer which I would like to be able to pass to its original family.

The photograph shows a uniformed Officer sitting on a pile of sandbags outside a tent in the desert.  The inscription on the reverse reads My Desert home.  Egypt.  30 July 1940.  To Harold.  Lieut W A Bridge N.Z.A.

Can anybody prove their descent from Lieut W A Bridge?  If so, please contact me.

I should add that I rescue vintage photographs from antiques shops, fairs etc in the hope that I can reunite them with their families.  Should you be interested, I have a blog at sorry blog has been deleted

[TwiggyTree]

Wow, what an amazing thing you are doing for people.

There is one entry on our Cenotaph database but it is for an Ordinary Seaman not a Lieutenant, however the database itself may help you in the future:
http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/locations.aspx

Usually our births, deaths and marriages website would be able to help with deaths but it is offline it seems presently.

There is an entry though for a gentleman who may fit the "W A" initials if you are certain they are so.
1988/52515, BRIDGE, William Arthur, 7 December 1899

He did serve, as there is a rehabilitation file for him in our Archives.  He was later nominated as a Justice of the Peace too. 
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/Home.do

WW2 military files are not digitised at the moment, but a request can be lodged with the Army Personnel records office.

There is a probate for him in Auckland as well, which may start you off with next of kin:
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=390194

Hope that helps a little,

[YourAncestors]

Thank you very much for your reply and for the useful links.  I will take a close look at those and have bookmarked them for the future, too.

My W A Bridge was definitely a Lieutenant in the NZA.  The inscription on the back of the photo is very clear - a refreshing change from some that I have seen!

Thanks, again, for your help.  Very much appreciated.

[minniehaha]

William Arthur Bridge buried at Waikumete Cemetery in the "Soldiers Ash Burial" plot. Date of death- 1.10.1986. Aged 88 years.

I can do a newspaper death notice look up for this man, if helpful for next of kin?


Minniehaha.

[TwiggyTree]

Just a wondering.....was it normal for male soldiers to send photos home to male relatives instead of wives?

Looking for a marriage for William prior to war was elusive so I was wondering if he wasn't married at that time.

There is a Harold William BRIDGE born 5 November 1919, deceased 2008 on the BDMH website.  A nephew perhaps?

[Suzy W]

Twiggy I have some photo's here of men sending photo's to their male friends back home. 

[TwiggyTree]

Good'o Suzy W.  I was aware of letters being sent but just thought that at the cost of photos, they were less likely.

[minniehaha]

Mention made of William Arthur in the 'Evening Post' dated 13.1.1940 under the heading-

"Overseas Forces Officers Promoted".

From 'Papers Past' website..........

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz

Minniehaha.

[minniehaha]

A little more from 'Papers Past'.......

'Auckland Star' dated 13.1.1940- "Ready to Act, Anti-Tank Unit". This article mentions New Zealanders in the UK forming an anti-tank unit, one was Lieutenant W. A. Bridge. (There is a photograph of the men in the unit but unfortunately W. A. Bridge was absent.)

Another mention in the 'Evening Post' dated 21.3.1940 which says W. A. Bridge was from Wellington.

Birth notice, 'Evening Post' dated 9.1.1935. A daughter to Mr. & Mrs. W. A. Bridge (nee Nora Greene).

Minniehaha.