Lt Col William Brydges MBE RCT

Lieutenant Colonel Wiliam Brydges MBE RCT, a Late Entry Commissioned Officer in the British Armed Forces, Service Number: S/54807 (The National Archives). Enlisted into the Royal Army Service Corps in 1935 (later transferring to the Royal Corps of Transport). William Brydges saw conflict in WW2 and famously assumed the position of Commonwealth Division Chief in Korea during the 'Forgotten War' 25 Jun 1950 – 27 Jul 1953. William Brydges gained a Late Entry Commission from the rank of Warrant Officer class 1 (SSM) to the rank of Lieutenant (Quarter Master) on 8th Oct 1954. (London Gazette). Subsequently reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Early Life[edit]

Born in Aldershot, William Brydges attempted to join the British Army as an underage 14-year-old boy. William Brydges managed to get through the selection process before the recruiters managed to realise that he was underage. William Brydges was swiftly returned home to his mother before later reapplying and enlisting into the Royal Army Service Corps in 1935 (at the correct age).

Military career.

Lt Col William Brydges MBE RCT was the Chief Clerk under the Divisional Commander, Major General A. J. H. Cassels, CB CBE DSO, when the General commanded the 51st Highland Division in Europe during WWII. William Brydges was mentioned in despatches (MiD) for "gallant action in the face of the enemy". (MiD Citation).

William Brydges whilst serving as an enlisted soldier, prior to commission in 1954, served as a Chief Clerk in five divisional Headquarters; The 45th West County division in 1941, the 51st Highland, the 53rd Welsh, the 2nd Infantry Division, and the 1st Commonwealth Division. William Brydges was created a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for exemplary service to the British Armed Forces.

Personal Life[edit]

An avid historian with particular interest in the events of WWII. William Brydges was married to Edith Brydges and had two sons (William J Brydges and Allan Brydges). The eldest son (William J Brydges) served in the Royal Artillery during National Service. William Brydges' Great Grandson (Ashley Brydges) is currently serving with the Royal Logistic Corps as a Junior Non-Commissioned Officer specialising in Military Communications.

References[edit]

London Gazette. (1954). Supplement to the London Gazette, 9 November, 1954. Available: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40321/supplement/6342/data.pdf. Last accessed 09th Jun 2018.
The National Archives, Kew. (1952). Recommendation for Award for Brydges, William Rank: Warrant Officer. Available: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7620162. Last accessed 09th Jun 2018.
The National Archives, Kew. (1952). MiD Citation. Available: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7620162. Last accessed 09th Jun 2018.

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