Gordon Bridson
| Gordon Bridson | |
|---|---|
| Born |
2 December 1909 Wellington, New Zealand |
| Died | 6 December 1972 (aged 63) Cambridge, New Zealand |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service/branch | Royal New Zealand Navy |
| Years of service | 1927–46 |
| Rank | Commander |
| Commands held |
HMNZS Kiwi HMT Walnut |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Service Cross Navy Cross (United States) |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's Swimming | ||
Representing  New Zealand
|
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| British Empire Games | ||
 |
1930 Hamilton | 400-yard freestyle |
|
1930 Hamilton | 1500 yard freestyle |
 Kiwi's bow showing damage by Submarine I-1
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Lt-Cdr Bridson and crew marching through Auckland
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Commander Gordon Bridson, DSO, DSC (2 December 1909 – 6 December 1972) was an officer of the Royal New Zealand Navy during the Second World War. He was the commander of the minesweeping trawler Kiwi which, with her sister ship Moa, fought a classic duel with Japanese submarine I-1.
Bridson grew up in Auckland, New Zealand. He went to Auckland Grammar School and became the Auckland swimmer of the decade. At the 1930 British Empire Games he won silver medals for both the 400 yd and 1500 yd freestyle.
Bridson began his naval career in 1927 by joining the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in Auckland. He was commissioned in February 1928 and in April 1940 was mobilised for war and promoted to lieutenant commander. The following month he was sent to England to serve in the Royal Navy.
In England Bridson commanded HMT Walnut. Walnut was a Tree-class minesweeper belonging to a group of ten ships commanded by New Zealanders. For a year these ships were deployed as the 24th and 25th anti-submarine and minesweeping flotillas, protecting convoys on the east coast of Britain. They were often attacked by air and sea. Bridson received the Distinguished Service Cross for his performance during this time.
Bridson then commanded the newly built minesweeping trawler HMNZS Kiwi, commissioned at Greenock in October 1941. On New Year's Day Kiwi accompanied a convoy setting out from Greenock to cross the North Atlantic to Newfoundland. They encountered a severe storm which damaged the Kiwi. Bridson then sailed her to New Zealand.
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Wikipedia