| Samuel Bridgett was the eldest son of James and Matilda Bridgett. James Bridgett and Matilda Geddes were married on 10th September 1875 in the district of Cookstown.
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| Samuel J Bridgett was born on born 20th July 1876 in Tamlaght, Coagh. He was the oldest of twelve children, ten surviving.
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| The family lived in Tamlaght, Coagh.
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| Known family: James Bridgett, Matilda Bridgett, Samuel Bridgett (born 20th July 1876, Coagh), William Robert Bridgett (born 17th March 1878, Coagh), Mary Bridgett (born 24th February 1880, Coagh), Joseph Bridgett (born 12th February 1882, Coagh), Sarah Bridgett (born 16th April 1884, Coagh), Matilda Bridgett (born 22nd August 1886, Coagh), Andrew Bridgett (born 19th March 1888, Coagh), Margaret Bridgett (born 14th June 1890, Cookstown), David Bridgett (born 4th May 1892, Cookstown), Annie Bridgett 7 (born 13th March 1894, Cookstown), John Bridgett 5 (born 7th February 1896, Cookstown).
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| The family moved to Cookstown about 1893.
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| The 1901 census does not list Samuel living with the family at house 9 in Coagh Street Lane, Cookstown. Andrew had left school and was a painter’s apprentice. His father was an ironmonger and yard man.
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| Samuel’s brother, Alfred Bridgett, was killed at Middleburg, Transvaal, South Africa in 1901. Lance Corporal G A Bridgett was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was accidently wounded on 23rd March 1901. He died on the 27th March 1901.
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| The 1911 census does not list Samuel as living with the family at house 4 in Coagh Street Lane, Cookstown. His father were general labourer.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail unknown date in 1915: Serious accident in Cookstown
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| James Bridgett, Coagh Street, Cookstown, for many years carter to Mr John Todd, merchant, met with a serious accident on Monday evening. Mr Bridgett, who has lost an eye years ago, and usually wore glasses, while about his ordinary duties, was struck on the spectacles from a stone when passing some boys who were amusing themselves throwing stones on the street. The glass was broken, and many small pieces knocked into his sound eye. He suffered intense pain, and it was feared that he had been totally blinded. Drs Knight and Elliott were quickly in attendance and the broken glass was removed and the eye bandaged. On Tuesday, Rev Robert Hyndman and Mr Todd procured a motor car, and Mr Hyndman and John Bridgett, his son, accompanied the injured man to Belfast for treatment. Dr Killen, having made a careful examination, was able to announce that the sight had not been destroyed, and that the injured man would soon be all right. Rev Mr Hyndman, on his return, delivered this cheering news to Mrs Bridgett and family, who were naturally greatly alarmed at the accident. The injured man remains in Belfast for treatment. It may be mentioned that three of Mr Bridgett’s sons are at present in the army, and that one was killed in South Africa.
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| Corporal Samuel Bridgett served with the Royal Army Service Corps (Military Intelligence). A newspaper article from January 1916 reports that Samuel was serving at Bulford Camp on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th January 1916: Sergeant Major William R Bridgett
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| Sergeant Major William R Bridgett 6th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, second son of Mr James Bridgett, Coagh Street, Cookstown, killed in action on 12th December 1915. He had a good many years service, having been through the South African War with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He joined the Yorkshires at the outbreak of the present war. He was married to an English woman in May 1915. A brother of the deceased, Alfred, was killed at Middleburg, Transvaal in 1901. Another brother, Andrew, is at present at the front and Samuel is serving at Bulford Camp, while a brother of his wife was killed in action some time ago. Much sympathy is felt for his parents who are held in the highest respect. At the meeting of the Cookstown Y.M.C.A. on Tuesday evening, Mr John Glasgow J.P., presiding, on the motion of Mr John Ramsey, seconded by Mr William Warnock, a resolution of sympathy was passed to his brother John, who is a member, and also to his parents and other relatives.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 22nd January 1916: The Late Sergeant Major William R Bridgett
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| At the morning service in First Presbyterian Church on Sunday last, Rev R Hyndman, B.A., said they were all deeply grieved during the week to hear of the death of Sergeant Major William R Bridgett, who had laid down his life for his country. The deceased belonged to a family that was soldierly in spirit, his brother having been killed in the South African war, through which he had also been, while two brothers are now serving with the colours. He had died in a great cause, and they all sympathised with his father and mother, and the other members of the family in their great sorrow
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| Samuel Bridgett would have been about 42 years when the war ended.
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| Corporal Samuel Bridgett is listed with his brothers Andrew, William and David on First Presbyterian Church Cookstown World War One Roll of Honour. David is not included in the Coagh list because he was born in Cookstown.
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