PRIVATE A. BRIDGER, 2ND BATTALION ROYAL FUSILIERS. Queen’s South Africa Medal, type 1, thr

PRIVATE A. BRIDGER, 2ND BATTALION ROYAL FUSILIERS. Queen’s South Africa Medal, type 1, three clasps, Cape Colony, SA 1901, SA 1902 (officially impressed: 5337 Pte. BRIDGER. RL:FUSILIERS.). Good Very Fine to Almost Extremely Fine.

Note: the service number impressed on Bridger’s QSA is incorrect. His service papers give correct service number as 5339. His QSA is recorded on two medal rolls, on one of which his regimental number is given incorrectly as 5337, but on the other it is given correctly as 5339.

Medal accompanied by 5 pages copied service papers, and copied QSA Medal rolls (2) confirming medal and clasps.

Albert Bridger was born in Marylebone, London. He enlisted into the Royal Fusiliers at Hounslow on 6/9/1895. At the time of enlistment he was 18 years of age, gave his trade as that of printer and stated that he had previously seen service in the 5th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Bridger saw service initially with the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers and during his early years with that battalion had a number of brushes with the military authorities, being tried and imprisoned on several occasions during the 1890s for breaking out of barracks and / or being absent without permission. Bridger was posted to the 4th Battalion on 23/3/1900 and subsequently to the depot on 12/2/1901, to the 1st Battalion on 19/10/1901 and to the 2nd Battalion on 7/11/1901. Bridger transferred to the Army Reserve on 13/10/1902 but re-enlisted on 5/9/1907 and was transferred to the Army Reserve for a second time on 5/9/1911, after 16 years service with the colours. In addition to service at home, Bridger also saw service in India for 3 years and 73 days and in South Africa for 349 days. Service papers give next of kin as his mother, Harriett Bridger of Notting Hill, London.