William Bridgeford

Lieutenant General Sir William Bridgeford, (28 July 1894 – 21 September 1971) was a senior officer in the Australian Army. He began his military career in 1913 and fought on the Western Front during the First World War, before rising to command the 3rd Infantry Division during the Bougainville campaign in the Second World War. Later he served as the Commander in Chief of British Commonwealth Forces Korea during the Korean War. He retired from the military in 1953 and worked on the organising committee of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, as well as being the director of several companies and treasurer of a returned services organisation.

Early life William Bridgeford was born on 28 July 1894 at Smeaton in Victoria to George Bridgeford, a Scottish-born baker, and his wife Christina Gordon (née Calder). He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Permanent Military Force, but volunteered for overseas service with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) the following month and was posted to the 29th Infantry Battalion in Egypt.

Between the wars Due to widescale reductions in the Army following the demobilisation process, Bridgeford reverted to his substantive rank of lieutenant in the Permanent Military Force, although he continued to hold his AIF rank as an honorary rank. For his work during the Greek campaign, he received the Greek Military Cross, 1st Class and was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Later, he was promoted to temporary major general and served as DA&QMG of the First Army. Between April and August 1943 he commanded the 3rd Armoured Division before serving on the staff of New Guinea Force during the New Guinea campaign from August 1943 to June 1944. He was later invested as a Companion of the Order of the Bath for his work during this time. he subsequently led them successfully through the Bougainville campaign before being promoted to lieutenant general the following year and taking up the position of Commander-in-Chief of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force and the British Commonwealth Forces Korea, replacing Lieutenant General Sir Horace Robertson. Bridgeford, however, retained his position as both the British and Australian governments supported him, He also served as the director of a number of companies, including a television company, and was actively involved with the Returned Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia, serving as federal treasurer of the organisation between 1954 and 1956.

Bridgeford died on 21 September 1971 at Kenmore in Queensland, aged 77. He was survived by his son and stepdaughter, whom he formally adopted as his daughter.