Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 24, 2008 0:50:37 GMT 12
I just discovered that Gordon Bridson, the Commander of the corvette HMNZS Kiwi, which with sister ship Moa rammed the Japanese submarine I.1 in a famous victory for the RNZN, settled in Cambridge after the war and lived here till his death in 1972.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Bridson
Cambridge seems to have had a proud tradition of sailors in the RNZN and RN despite being one of the most landlocked towns in NZ. We had six men aboard Acilles when in the Battle of the River Plate. One was killed. The five survivors returned home to Cambridge as huge heroes, the whole town turned out to greet them. Otehr Cambridge men later served on Achilles, as well as other ships.
I know so little about the navy, I wish someone in this town would do a similar thing as I have been doign with our airmen and record their stories. Bridson's story alone would be worth a read. I wonder if he has family still here.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Bridson
Cambridge seems to have had a proud tradition of sailors in the RNZN and RN despite being one of the most landlocked towns in NZ. We had six men aboard Acilles when in the Battle of the River Plate. One was killed. The five survivors returned home to Cambridge as huge heroes, the whole town turned out to greet them. Otehr Cambridge men later served on Achilles, as well as other ships.
I know so little about the navy, I wish someone in this town would do a similar thing as I have been doign with our airmen and record their stories. Bridson's story alone would be worth a read. I wonder if he has family still here.
