Bridges, Albert Francis Barclay, Paymaster Lieutenant, 1895-1994.

The papers consist of a journal, 1912 to 1918; pocket diaries, 1918 to 1920, kept while in the Mediterranean and Black Sea; and a photograph and scrap album belonging to his brother, William Maclaren Bridges mainly relating to the surrender of the German fleet, 21 November 1918. Related photographs and artifacts are held by the Departments of Pictures and Weapons & Antiquities.

Administrative / biographical background
Alfred Francis Barclay Bridges was born in India in 1895 and joined the Navy as an assistant clerk on 15 July 1912. Shortly afterwards he took up a position in the NEPTUNE, transferring to the PRINCESS ROYAL in November 1912. In July 1913 he was promoted to clerk and a year later he joined the 4th Battle Squadron in the DREADNOUGHT as clerk to the Flag Officer's secretary and moved to the BENBOW soon afterwards from which ship he was lent to the ERIN in August 1915. Bridges became a paymaster sub-lieutenant in October 1915. In January 1916 he joined the HERCULES and was promoted to paymaster lieutenant in October 1917. In May 1918 he joined the LORD NELSON as clerk to the secretary of the Rear-Admiral second-in-command of the Mediterranean fleet and he served in this capacity, mainly in the EMPEROR OF INDIA, until 1920 when he retired. His brother William Maclaren Bridges became a midshipman in January 1917 and in February joined the battlecruiser NEW ZEALAND (1911). He was promoted to sub-lieutenant in May 1918 and subsequently joined the destroyer HMS VEGA (1917). He retired in 1920 and saw further active service in the Second World War.