As part of our project to document the names on Duncan’s Cenotaph in Charles Hoey Park on Canada Avenue, here is what we know about William Herbert Bambridge, who died in France on 19 August 1917:
“FORMER RESIDENT KILLED IN ACTION
Many in Cowichan will regret the death in action of Captain William Herbert Bambridge, Royal Fusiliers, on August 19th. He was shot through the head by a sniper on the western front. The only son of Mr. W.S. Bambridge, Mus. B., of Marlborough, he was born 28 years ago and educated at Marlborough College, where he made a name as a fine cricketer and all-round athlete. After leaving college he came out to Duncan and was in the district about two and a half years engaged in farming.
He had a fine baritone voice and was much in demand at concerts. He sang in the choir of St. John’s, Duncan. In 1910 he returned to England to have his voice trained at the Royal Academy of Music. He was for some time afterwards a member of Mr. George Edwardes‘ company at the Adelphi, where he took parts in musical comedy, including “The Girl From Utah.”
At the outbreak of war he enlisted in the University and Public schools battalion of the Royal Fusiliers and rose gradually to commissioned rank. He went out to the front a year ago, was bombing officer to the battalion and became acting captain last June.”
(source: Cowichan Leader, 20 September 1917, from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Information
William Herbert Bambridge; Rank: Captain; Date of Death: 19 August 1917; Royal Fusiliers, 24th Battalion; Grave: Gorre British and Indian Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
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