Born in Ballarat, Victoria and a Staff man by occupation, Bertie Vincent Bridges was 22 years and single when enlisted on the 21st of January 1915 in the 22nd Battalion, B Company, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 334. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 'Ulysses' on the 10th of May 1915. 28th of July 1917 appointed Lance Corporal, France; on the 27th of October 1917 to be Corporal vice Draper, Field. On the 20th of March 1918 admitted to Hospital sick – Scabies. On the 27th of April 1918 Corporal appointed Lieutenant Sergeant; on the 25th of May 1918 Lieutenant promoted Sergeant. On the12th of October 1918 admitted to hospital sick, Havre, France. On the 7th of October 1918 transferred to the 39th General Hospital, Havre, France. On the 28th of December 1918 VD 20, Bulford; on the 7th of February 1919 admitted to the 12th Causality Clearing Station, Bulford and was listed as returned to Australia on the 10th of April 1919 per 'Medic' and disembarked on the 31st of May 1919; discharged on the 30th of July 1919. 'At MORLANCOURT near ALBERT on the night of 9th/10th June, 1918 this N.C.O. (the non-commissioned officer) was in charge of a reconnoitring patrol of 6 other ranks. A hostile post was located and BRIDGES by himself went forward to reconnoitre it. Ascertaining that the post was occupied he attacked it single-handed, killed 2 Germans wounded 4 others and captured a Light Machine gun which he succeeded in bringing back to our lines, together with the remainder of his patrol.' (Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23, Dated 12th of February 1919.) War service: Western Front Tree No. 1569