Andrew Bridgett was the son of James and Matilda Bridgett. He was born on 19th March 1888 in Tamlaght, Coagh. He was one of twelve children, ten surviving. The family moved to Cookstown about 1893. By 1901, Andrew had left school and was a painter’s apprentice. His father was an ironmonger and yard man. His brother Alfred was serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died in 1901. He enlisted initially in 1907, joining the 8th Hussars. Private Bridgett was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 27th June 1916. Private Andrew Bridgett was officially demobilized on 4th March 1919 from the 24th Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps. He had served for almost ten years.