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Percy Bellingham served with the Expeditionary Force in France from 25th July 1916 which was just
weeks after the devastating British losses. His Regiment was soon heavily involved in the Battle of
Guillemont and sadly he was killed in action the on 31st August 1916. He had been in France just over
five weeks.

Two of his colleagues took the time and trouble to write to Percy’s wife to explain how the tragedy had
happened: "We deeply regret to write to tell you that we have lost our dear pal, your husband, sad to say,
st
yesterday, August 31 . We all got buried, your husband was hit by shrapnel and killed instantly. He was
shot through the heart and died very peacefully. We both hope you will bear the sad news bravely, as your
dear husband died doing his duty most nobly and bravely.”

Mary Rosina Bellingham, a widow at 23-years-of-age, came home to North Cray to stay with her
family in Manor Cottages.

In Memoriam No known grave. His name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial, Belgium.

th
Edward BRIGDEN, No. 1 Company, 25 Division, Train, Army Service Corps
1897- 21st March 1918

Born in Orpington, farm-hand Edward Brigden’s family home was now Granville Cottages. He was
one of four sons born to Frederick Brigden and his wife, Catherine. All his brothers, George, John and
Frederick, served during the conflict. Keen to be involved in what he probably saw as an exciting
adventure, young Edward enlisted on 25th September 1915 when still under 19-years-old,. As he was
experienced working with horses on the farm, he was assigned to the Army Service Corps as a Driver.

Drivers were usually privates in rank, but designated driver to distinguish them from infantry and
were absolutely essential in getting supplies, food, ammunition and equipment to the men at the Front,
as well as bringing the wounded back to the medical stations. It was an extremely dangerous job as
drivers were targeted by machine guns and artillery who tried to prevent them getting supplies
through.

Edward Brigden had managed to survive in battle conditions for over two years but tragically he was
one of the thousands of victims of the brutal fighting during the engagement known as 'Operation
st
Michael'. News of his tragic death on 21 March 1918 soon spread through North Cray Village. His
mother received a letter of sympathy from the Rev. E. Wilcox, assigned to the Royal Service Corps, as
well as from a colleague, Driver C. M. Lloyd, who was formally from Sidcup.

In Memoriam: Buried at the Bancourt British Cemetery, France.