Papers of R A Louis Bridson concerning his merchant navy career and research into the history of the crew and vessels of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company

Date(s): 1970s-1980s

Scope & Content: Notable for content relating to crew serving at Dunkirk on requisitioned Steam Packet vessels, recollections by Captain Duggan about TSS Mona's Queen's (III) war service 1939-1940 and a poem 'To Louis Bridson. The last survivor from the Mona's Queen - Dunkirk''. Contains plentiful other documentation.

For accompanying photographs see PG 15359 (1 box)

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Administration / Biographical History: Robert Alfred Louis Bridson was born on 29 November 1919 at 12 Big Well Street, Douglas, isle of Man. He was christened at St Barnabas Church, Douglas on 21 December 1919 and later confirmed in this church on 10 February 1935) He married Emily Cain (Millie Cain) at St George's Church, Douglas on 11 March 1943, the couple later raising their two children Michael and Linda.

Louis signed on at Southampton on 20 December 1939 to serve on TSS Mona's Queen, an Isle of Man Steam Packet Company vessel requisitioned for war service, with the rank of able bodied seaman (AB). With fellow crew he was on board when she was torpedoed and sank at Dunkirk, northern France during the evacuation of allied troops from Normandy. He kept meticulous records of his career including his personal file which records all the ships he sailed on between December 1939 and November 1974 (see deposit MS 09416).

During his career in the Merchant Navy Louis worked for several shipping lines including the B & I Line (British & Irish Steam Packet Co. Ltd, Dublin) and Coast Lines but his career began and ended on Steam Packet boats having risen in seniority as an officer to qualify as a Master in 1950. At his retirement he was serving as Chief Officer.

Louis was the last surviving Manxman of the 'Mona's Queen' which sank at Dunkirk. He died on Monday 15 December 2003. His funeral was held at St George's Church, Douglas on Tuesday 6 January 2004, followed by cremation at Douglas Borough Crematorium.

Language: English

Extent: 2 boxes

Item name: research notes

Collection: Manuscript Archive

Level: FONDS

ID number: MS 11490

Record class: Private

Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im

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