GENERAL BRIDGES'S DEATH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 9154, 31 May 1915, Page 5

GENERAL BRIDGES'S DEATH.

CAPTAIN -BEAN'S STORY

(Received May 31, 9.40. a.m.) SYDNEY, May 31. Captain Bean .cables that .General Bridges was wounded en route to the firms line. He was usually careless ot his 'personal safety, to the point of recklessness, and would; stand in full view of the enemy's position. Ho was often chaffed by the members of his stair to bo more careful/ On the first day a man standing nlognsido him was shot dead, and latterly General Bridges was more en refill, and consented to take cover when shrapnel was breaking right over him. On the morning of his death ho was noticed to bo especially cautions when approaching a position he wanted to inspect, and, acting on advice, he ran across exposed positions. He v/ns mnk-inp: one of these runs, with his staff, when he was hit. The bnllet mi, two large arteries in his lop;. Help was instantly at hand, and he was brought under cover. But for the presence of a,doctor, he. would have died

I in a few seconds, so groat was the loss of blood.

The General's- first .words wore: "Don't cany mo down. I'don't want any "of you follows to run into danger," but his opposition was overcome. While the party was returning, the Turks, perhaps realising who tho wounded man was, did not five. Captain Boan adds: "It lias been noticed that, while not always scrupulous -or humane fighters,- tho Turks sometimes act very i'airly and humanely." General Bridges's last words before, he was pin cod aboard the ship were: "Anyhow. I have commanded the Australian Division for nine months." Captain Beau pays a tribute to Gene- ! rai Bridges as an able, strong commander, wholly without fear. Brigadier-General Walker, originally chief of General Birdwood's staff, has sijcfwded to the command of the Division.