PALMERSTON – Some residents of the Creek Bank Meadows subdivision may have peered through windows late in the morning on Oct. 29 to see a large group of people surrounding a sign post draped with a Town of Minto flag.
Sign posts are not ordinarily a draw for attention, and yet around 40 people mingled and chatted amongst themselves on the lawn of a WrightHaven Homes model home and a grass boulevard as the clock drew closer to 11am.
Members of the Bridge and Stephenson families were there, along with local dignitaries, including outgoing Minto Mayor George Bridge, mayor-elect Dave Turton, Perth-Wellington MP John Nater and MPP Matthew Rae.
Bridge took to a microphone and called on Palmerston Legion Colour Party members, who marched down the roadway before coming to a stop behind the sign post, its newly installed street signs shrouded behind the flag.
Relatives of the Stephenson and Bridge families stood near, awaiting the moment when the signs, bearing their familial surnames, would be revealed.
Roughly 40 people gathered on the morning of Oct. 29 to see newly unveiled street signs in Palmerston, commemorating the lives of eight men from the Bridge and Stephenson families who served in the First and Second World Wars. Photo by Jordan Snobelen
The town has honoured local veterans by naming new streets in their memory since 2015, but rarely do two families have as many members who served.
Stephenson Way and Bridge Crescent commemorate the lives of eight men between the two families who served in the First and Second World Wars.
William Bridge, a 29-year-old farmer in 1918, was drafted and stationed in Ottawa before succumbing to illness the same year.
Four other members of the Bridge family served in the Second World War.
Rob Bridge enlisted in 1941 and saw fighting with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He later served as Palmerston Legion Branch 409 president.
Clayton Bridge, too, served as branch president upon returning to Canada from service with the 81st Canadian Artillery in United Kingdom, the Mediterranean and Europe.
Norman Bridge enlisted in 1942 and fought with the Hussars in France, Belgium, and Holland before being injured in Germany. After recovering, he served with the Perth Regiment in Nymegen, Holland, Pilsen and Czechoslovakia.
He, too, served as branch president and was also a member of the Palmerston Legion Pipe Band.
Milton Bridge became a pilot and flew bombing missions in Africa, Italy, Corsica and Sardinia.
Much like his relatives, he served as branch president and was also a local politician, serving as deputy reeve and reeve of the former town of Harriston and also as Wellington County warden.
Photo by Jordan Snobelen
Elroy Stephenson enlisted in 1942 and headed for England, setting up a hospital at Abbotts Langley Hertfordshire. There he served as a personal assistant caring for visiting officers and looking after officer quarters.
In 1944, he travelled to France and set up a hospital at Bayeux.
He also worked at hospitals and casualty stations in Belgium and Holland before returning in 1946 to Palmerston, where he served as Legion branch president.
Lloyd Stephenson enlisted in 1939 and served with intelligence units in Canada and the United Kingdom. After recovering from health problems, he served as a military construction worker for over 27 years before being discharged.
Lyle Stephenson enlisted in 1941 and fought with the 54th Artillery in France, Belgium and Holland before being discharged in 1946.
“Not only did they serve their country, but when they returned to Canada, they continued to serve their communities,” Nater remarked.
Rae stated, “This roadway dedication is a great way to honour past veterans from Palmerston.
“The Bridge and Stephenson families served our country abroad and continued to serve our community upon returning home.
“Children who grow up on these streets will remember these brave men and their service for generations to come.”
