James Frederick Bridge, 1914-1940
James as a boy, wearing the uniform of Bedford Modern School, which puts the date after Sep 1925.
This picture was enlarged from a school photo showing James as a member of a rowing four.
On the back of this photo is written "J. F. Bridge, June 1931, B.M.S. gym".
This photo is labelled "June 1935, Hurdlefoot", which refers to woodland by the river near his home in Pavenham.
This picture is labelled "Jim Bridge, the River Ooze, Bedford, England, 13 July, 1935". The writing looks like that of Jim's father Walter and the snapshot was sent to Walter's sister Mary in Cape Town. My thanks go to Ros Dachs, Mary's grand-daughter, for recently sending it back to me.
James played the flute; the photo must date from 1940, since he did not grow a moustache before then.
This picture is enlarged from a group photograph taken on the Flying Instructors' training course, presumably soon before its conclusion on 1st June 1940. James was then a Pilot Officer in the RAF.
A wedding portrait; James married Masie Barnes on 26 Jun 1939.
This picture was taken in their home to mark the christening of their only child, Noel James (11 Aug 1940).