14 Facts About William Bridgeford

William Bridgeford began his military career in 1913 and fought on the Western Front during the First World War, before rising to command the 3rd Infantry Division during the Bougainville campaign in the Second World War.

William Bridgeford retired from the military in 1953 and worked on the organising committee of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, as well as being the director of several companies and treasurer of a returned services organisation.

William Bridgeford was born on 28 July 1894 at Smeaton in Victoria to George Bridgeford, a Scottish-born baker, and his wife Christina Gordon.

In 1913, Bridgeford was accepted into the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

William Bridgeford was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Permanent Military Force, but volunteered for overseas service with the Australian Imperial Force the following month and was posted to the 29th Infantry Battalion in Egypt.

William Bridgeford did not see action with them, for in February 1916 the machine gun sections of the 8th Infantry Brigade, of which the 29th Infantry Battalion was a part, were transferred to the brigade's newly formed 8th Machine Gun Company.

William Bridgeford served with the 8th Machine Gun Company on the Western Front, where he was awarded the Military Cross for his actions during the Battle of Fromelles and later undertook staff training at brigade and divisional level.

William Bridgeford attended the Staff College, Quetta in British India the following year.

William Bridgeford briefly commanded the 25th Infantry Brigade upon its formation in the United Kingdom in June 1940 before serving as the Deputy Adjutant and Quartermaster General of I Corps.

William Bridgeford was later invested as a Companion of the Order of the Bath for his work during this time.

The role was a purely administrative one and William Bridgeford had no control over combat operations it was not without controversy.

William Bridgeford retained his position as both the British and Australian governments supported him, and he stayed on until February 1953, when he was replaced by Lieutenant General Henry Wells.

William Bridgeford returned to Australia and retired from the military a month later with the honorary rank of lieutenant general.

William Bridgeford died on 21 September 1971 at Kenmore in Queensland, aged 77.