We regret to advise of the death of Captain Albert William "Bert" Bridgewater (Ret’d) just a few weeks after his 102nd birthday, on 2 November 2016 at the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre in Ottawa, ON. Bert was a Royal Canadian Engineer WW II veteran and a recipient of the French Legion of Honour medal for his contribution to the liberation of France in 1944.
Bert joined the Militia in 1936 and served with the Royal Canadian Engineers before WW II in London, ON and Montreal, QC. He enlisted in the Canadian Army Active Force in the Summer of 1941 and undertook his Sapper training at A6 Canadian Engineer Training Centre in Dundurn, SK. Then assigned to the 9th Field Squadron, his unit completed their training at Camp Petawawa, ON and embarked for the United Kingdom in June 1942.
Lt Bridgewater was selected as a Reconnaissance Officer and transferred to Headquarters 4th Armoured Division Engineers. He landed in France on 6 July when his division relieved the 3rd Division in the Normandy bridgehead in July 1944. He was promoted to Captain shortly after landing in France and worked as a Reconnaissance Officer throughout the Battle of France. After the Battle of France, the 4th Division over-wintered in the Nijmegen area in Holland and the Divisional Engineers continued to support the Allied advance into Germany until the conclusion of hostilities. Capt Bridgewater returned to Canada and was demobilized in September 1945.
After the war, Bert worked in Montreal for a few years before he became Assistant Chief Bridge Engineer for the Saskatchewan Department of Highways. His family later moved to Ottawa in 1951 where he took up a position with the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority. Bert was transferred to its Montreal headquarters shortly afterward where he worked on the design and construction of the St Lawrence Seaway canal system until 1974. He retired in 1978.
Bert moved to Ottawa in 1992 and was very involved in the activities of the Stillwater Creek Retirement Residence, the Friendship Club of Bells Corners, and Kiwanis. He participated in discussion groups, played bridge, travelled widely, sang in a men's choir, and sometimes even went dancing. Bert celebrated his 100th birthday in Ottawa in October 2015 and he was presented the French Legion of Honour medal in November 2015 for his contribution to the liberation of France in 1944.
A funeral service and reception for close family and friends will be held at Christ Church Bells Corners on November 8 at 11:00 a.m. In memoriam and in lieu of flowers, donations to the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre would be appreciated. Condolences, donations or tributes may be made online at Tubman Funeral Homes.# {khNov2016}
