Bridgemen - Sellars to Llanthony

Priday Family
Three generations of the Priday family were at Rea Bridge spanning a total of over 120 years. Thomas served for 55 years, his son Albert for 50 years and his son Tom (pictured left) for 17 years.

Boulton Family
Charles Boulton and his son Bernard (pictured right) served Hempsted Bridge for almost 85 years. For other members of the Boulton family, see Purton to Fretherne.

1827-c1828	William Dainty	Jointly with Hardwicke Bridge.
c1828-1829	John Priday	Older brother of Thomas Priday of Rea Bridge, died in service aged 42.
1829-c1832	James Harris jnr	Son of James Harris of Fretherne Bridge. Moved to Pegthorne Bridge.
c1832-1868	Robert Tudor	Served for 35 years and died in service, aged 64.
1868-c1915	Benjamin Etheridge	Served for about 47 years during which time five of his children died, including three in May 1876.
By 1918-1933	Job Davis
1934-1945	William Prosser
1945-1985	Ivor Prosser	Son of William Prosser, served for 40 years.

1827-1882	Thomas Priday	Served for 55 years and died in service aged 84.
1882-1932	Albert Priday	Son of Thomas Priday, moved from Sims Bridge and served for 50 years, making a total of 57 years with the Canal Company.
1932-1949	Tom Priday	Son of Albert Priday. By the time of his retirement, three generations of Pridays had served the bridge for 122 years.
1950-1977	Harold Tainton

1827-1853	As Rea Bridge
1853-c1875	John Priday	Son of Thomas Priday of Rea Bridge.
c1875-1882	Albert Priday	Son of Thomas Priday of Rea Bridge who he succeeded.
1882-c1890?	Maurice Clutterbuck
c1890-1899	Harry Fredericks	Later moved to Hardwicke Bridge.
1899-1930	Alfred Perrett	Came from Patch Bridge and served for 31 years.
1931-c1948	Bob Warner	Later moved to the Junction.
c1948	Lionel Williams

1827-1868	William Taylor	Served for 41 years and retired on pension.
1868-1871	Henry Long	He and subsequent bridgemen were also responsible for the nearby dry dock. Moved to Gloucester Lock.
1871-1906	Charles Boulton	Son of William Boulton of Cambridge Arms Bridge. He died in service after serving 35 years.
1906-1955	Bernard Boulton	Succeeded his father Charles and retired at age 70 after serving for almost 50 years. As well opening the bridge, he also looked after the nearby dry dock and carbide store.

1827-1827	Thomas Chapman
1827-1832	William Reece snr	William Reece snr died of cholera in July 1832 when there was an epidemic in the shanty town in nearby High Orchard.
1832-1842	William Reece jnr & Charlotte Reece	William Reece jnr succeeded his father, but as he was also assistant to the Dock Master, his mother usually attended to the bridge until she was removed due to her "improper management of the bridge".
1842-1845	John Oldfield
1845-c1852	Henry Bubb
c1852-1861	Josias Drake
1861-1891	George Eldridge	Served for 30 years and finished at age 69.
1892-c1916	James Merchant	During his first year, he had to deal with two drownings in consecutive weeks.
c1916-c1947	Frank Smith	Served for almost 30 years.

Sources: Canal Company records, census returns, parish and electoral registers and newspaper reports.