Albert William Clyde Bridle, was born on the 11th January, 1924 in Tumut, NSW. To parents' James & Clare Bridle,
OBITUARY FOR CLYDE BRIDLE
Clyde Bridle was born on January 11, 1924 in Sydney Street, Tumut and was named Albert William Clyde. He was the youngest child of a family of nine, to Clara and James Bridle of Blowering.
He began his schooling at West Blowering School and later at the school at Brandy Mary’s Flat. The Bridle family lived on East Blowering at ‘Willow Vale’, which is now under the Blowering Dam spillway. In his younger days, he enjoyed cricket and tennis.
After his school years, Clyde worked at rabbiting and general labouring jobs, including millet cutting. He also worked out at Nymagee in the 1940’s, helping with a scoop and bucket and 4-5 horses making ‘tanks’ or dam building. During WW2 he attempted to enlist on more than one occasion but failed the medical. He moved in to Blowering Road with his parents in 1945.
One of the jobs he was justly proud of was in the early 1950’s when he made hundreds of cement blocks out of material sourced from the Yarrangobilly River. These blocks were then used in the construction of the Yarrangobilly CWA Rooms. He also made many more bricks that were used in the construction of the family home at Blowering Road, Tumut.
On April 10, 1954 he married the love of his life, Melba Le Fevre, of Tumut Plains, at All Saints Church of England in Tumut.
Three daughters arrived in 3 & ˝ years,
Shirley,
Maree and
Christine.
The family lived at Blowering Road for 30 years.
Clyde worked at various jobs, the Forestry, the PMG as a postman and on the night telephone exchange, at local sawmills and at orchards.
After his retirement he was often seen walking around Tumut delivering pamphlets.
He was involved in organisations such as the Back to Blowering activities & Brandy Mary’s Park just below the Blowering Dam wall. He was active at the Tumut Museum and enjoyed bush walking, photography and gardening. Clyde was a loyal supporter of the Australian Labor Party and the family history group, the Buddong Society. Clyde and Melba moved in to Kaleema Crescent in 1984.
He went to reside at Bupa Nursing Home in the Blowering wing in December 2010, where Melba was also a resident. He always joined in and enjoyed all the activities at Bupa.
Clyde passed away peacefully at Bupa Nursing Home in Sydney Street, Tumut on December 8, 2016 aged 92 years.
His funeral was held on December 16 at All Saints Anglican Church and he was laid to rest in the Tumut Lawn Cemetery.
He was the last surviving member of the Bridle family and was proud of his Blowering roots and mountain heritage. He was predeceased by his parents, Clara and Jim Bridle, and his brothers and sisters –
Jaspa Bridle,
Dot Green,
Kitty Prosser,
Claude Bridle,
Jack Bridle,
Trixie Clugston,
Rolfe Bridle &
Wallace Bridle.
He is survived by his wife of 62 & ˝ years, Melba, daughters and their husbands - Shirley & Phillip Thatcher of Werris Creek, Maree & Marty Myhill of Young, Christine Ballard of Tumut (& the late Laurie Ballard). There are 5 loving grandchildren - Wendy & Suzy, Yvette & Ross, & Jodi, along with 11 great grandchildren - Justin, Luke & Hayden; Phil, Emily, Daniel & Jett; Jacob; twins Alexander & Benjamin, & Henry. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Mavis Bridle and many caring nephews and nieces.
Clyde was a quiet, gentle man who was loved and respected by all who knew him. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
VALE CLYDE BRIDLE