Frank Risbridger

09/03/1923 — 18/11/2012
A brief biography

Ancestors


Risbrig — 1198 —
William de la Risebreage — 1276 —
Joham Rysbrugg — 1320 —
John atte Rysbrugg — 1425
Henry Ryesbrigger of Albury — 1430 —
John atte Rysbrygge — 1461 —
Johanna Risbridger — 1461 —
William Rysbrydger — 1553
Katherine —
John Rysbrydger of Shere ±1520 — 1563
Katherine Rysbrydger — 1597
William Risbridger 1546 — 1615
John Risbridger 1579 — 1631
William Risbridger of Shere 1611 — 1645±
John Risbridger of Capel 1642 — 1695
Thomas Risbridger of Newdigate 1679 — 1736
John Risbridger of Charlwood ±1703 — 1772
Lashford Risbridger of Charlwood 1760 — 1806
Emery Risbridger 1793 — 1856
William Risbridger 1837 — 1894
William Risbridger of Bexleyheath 1878 —
Frank Risbridger 1923 — 2012
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Certificates


 
 

Mentioned in

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WEDDING CERTIFICATE of Frank Risbridger
BIRTH CERTIFICATE of Frank Risbridger
Frank Risbridger - Kentish Gazette 10/07 ...

Spouse/Partner and Children


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Barbara Beryl Flower 1928 —   Risbridger  

Frank Risbridger


Son of William Risbridger and Lilian Agnes Flowers. .

Born in 1923, the thirteenth year of the reign of King George V, and died aged eighty-nine in the sixtieth year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II  He has 3 direct descendants in the family.

A Southwark Lad


9th Royal Tank Regiment

Born in Newington North, Southwark, on 19th March 1923, Frank was the third child of William Risbridger (born 27th February 1878) and Lilian Agnes Risbridger – née Flowers (born 28th August 1893). His other siblings were: Lillian (13th October 1919), William (23rd May 1921), Phyllis (17th July 1926) and Ruby (20th December 1927).

Having spent most of his early years growing up in Southwark, Frank left home at the young age of 17 to join the army, where he served as a tank driver with the 9th Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) C squadron, acquiring the nickname of ‘Tankie’. His tank was named ‘Impertinent’.

The War in Europe

On 12th June 1944, Frank landed on Sword Beach and was part of ‘Operations Epsom’, ‘Jupiter’ (the battle for Hill 112) and ‘Rebound’. Unfortunately, his tank was hit by an enemy shell and as he kicked his way out, he received burns to his legs, but managed to escape with only 5 seconds to spare. Many others though were not as lucky. It was a long bloody battle, the worst day being 10th July where the 9th RTR incurred more than a quarter of the casualties sustained in North West Europe on that one day alone.
Frank’s regiment moved through France, Belgium and were eventually instrumental in the liberation of Roosendaal, Holland, where they remained for a month before being moved to form part of a counter-attack force on the northern flank of the Ardennes – ‘Operation Veritable’. A very good account of this can be found in the book ‘Tank Tracks: The 9th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment at War, 1940-45’, by Peter Beale.


Retraining as an engineer


Frank in 1947, just out of the army

Returning home in late 1945, Frank retrained at night school as an engineer, after which he worked for many years as a salesman for steel manufacturing companies. It was around this time that he met his future wife, Barbara Beryl – formerly Flower (born 1st December 1928). They were married at All Saints’ Church, Belvedere, on 13th August 1949.

In order to save money for a house, Frank and his new wife first lived with Barbara’s parents in Erith. However, in the early 1950s, they were finally able to purchase their first home together in Clarendon Gardens, Stone, near Dartford in Kent. Their next move was to Cherry Trees, Hartley in Kent, where their only daughter Lynn Risbridger was born on 3rd February 1962. In 1990, after their retirement, they then decided to buy a bungalow and moved further down Kent to ‘Beechcroft’, Rectory Lane, Barham.

Biking and caravanning

Throughout their life together, Frank and Barbara enjoyed caravanning, and for many years they travelled abroad to France, Italy and Spain. In their earlier years together, Frank even had a motorbike on which they toured Europe!

Apart from all the travelling, Frank was also the Chairman of the Canterbury Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, for which he raised enough money to enable the veterans to return to Normandy for various commemorative events. The RVA standard now hangs in Canterbury Cathedral.

After their retirement, Frank and Barbara lived a much quieter life enjoying spending time with their grandchildren, Hannah Wood (born 10th January 1990) and Lauren Wood (born 4th December 1992).
They loved their bungalow at Barham and the wonderful view they had of the countryside. Frank and Barbara were happily married for over 60 years and both now rest at Barham Crematorium.


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Mark Risbridger

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Mark Risbridger earned master’s degrees in business administration and sports management from Springfield College, while he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Post University in 2013.

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