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Name: BRIDGEMAN, Richard Orlando Beaconsfield DSO (Commander RN), Hon.
Nee: 2nd son of 4th Earl of Bradford, bro of Henry George Orlando Bridgeman
Birth Date: 28 Feb 1879 Chelsea
Death Date: 9 Jan 1917 Rufiji River, Tanganyika, on active service
Last Date: 1917
Married: In Chelsea 21 July 1904 Margaret Cecilia Bruce b. 28 Oct 1882 London, d. 16 Apr 1949 Wolverhampton
Children: Helen Diana (22 June 1907 Aston, Warks.-7 May 1967 Northampton); Ursula Mary (12 JUly 1909 Aston-6 May 1912 Aston); Gerald Michael Orlando (29 Sep 1911 London-30 Aug 1981 Souith Staffordshire); Anne Pamela (12 June 1913 Meriden, Warks.-21 May 2009); Joan Serena (29 May 1916-23 July 1935 Westminster)
Book Reference: CWGC, Gazette, DSO, Burke
General Information:
CWGC - Dar es Salaam War Cemetery - Commander (The Hon.) Richard Orlando Beaconsfield Bridgeman, DSO, HMS "Hyacinth". Royal Navy. Drowned after accident to seaplane in the Rufiji River 9th January 1917. Age 37. Son of 4th Earl of Bradford and Ida, Countess of Bradford, of Weston Park, and Castle Bromwich, England. 1.A.6
Gazette - 4/11/1914 - Appt. - Mombasa Defence Force - To be Officer Commanding Marine Defence - Commander The Hon. R.O.B. Bridgeman
DSO - "Commander Bridgeman displayed great courage and coolness on 19th Aug 1915, in command of 2 whalers which proceeded into Tanga harbour. The manner in which the whalers endeavoured, though subjected to a heavy and accurate fire, to carry out their orders and board the SS Markgraf was worthy of the best traditions of the Royal Navy."
East India Club He was born at Weston Park on the 28th February 1879 and was the fourth son of the 4th Earl of Bradford and Lady Ida Annabella Frances Lumley, second daughter of the 9th Earl of Scarborough. (The Earl of Bradford served in the army and also their remaining brother, Major H J O Bridgeman, RHA). He was appointed Flag Commander to the Commander-in-Chief on the Cape station in June 1914 and had taken part in all the naval operations on the East African Coast. He received the DSO for gallant conduct in the attack on Tanga Harbour and also took part in the destruction of the German cruiser “Konigsberg,” when he had a narrow escape, a bullet passing through his cap. He had taken part in the military operations ashore, having acted as liaison officer between the Commander-in-Chief and General Smuts, and had also frequently acted as observer in aerial reconnaissance. He was one of the naval officers selected to accompany King George and Queen Mary as a Lieutenant on HMS Medina on the state visit to India for the Durbar 1911-12, and commanded the naval guard-of honour at Delhi. He had previously served on the China station and at the Cape during the South African War. He was promoted to Commander in 1912. He was a keen sportsman, a good shot and a good rider to hounds, being well known in the Brocklesby country, where he spent some of his leave in the seasons before the war. The citation for the DSO was published in The London Gazette 16th July 1916 as follows: “The KING has further been graciously pleased to approve of the following appointments to the Distinguished Service Order and of the award of the Distinguished Service Cross to the undermentioned officers in recognition of the services stated: —To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order.