General Bridges Grave: Honouring Australia’s First World War Commander in Canberra

Why General Bridges Grave Matters

Major General William Throsby Bridges was the first Australian-born officer to command Australian troops in the First World War and the inaugural commandant of the Royal Military College at Duntroon. His grave stands as the only Australian general’s burial site in the country after he was mortally wounded at Gallipoli and returned home. Visitors find a simple, dignified stone set within the college grounds that quietly underscores Australia’s emergence as an independent military power.

History and Setting

Bridges died in May 1915 aboard a hospital ship and his body was brought back to Australia in 1916. The grave lies on the edge of the Duntroon campus, framed by native trees and the college’s sandstone buildings. A modest memorial plaque records his service and the fact that his charger, Sandy, was the only horse returned from the Western Front to Australia. The site feels removed from tourist crowds, offering an intimate connection to the nation’s early 20th-century story.

Planning Your Visit

How to Get There

The grave is reached via the main entrance to Royal Military College, Duntroon, a short drive from central Canberra. Public buses run along Northcott Drive; from the stop it is a ten-minute walk along tree-lined paths. Drivers should use the visitor car park near the college headquarters and follow signage to the cemetery area. No special permit is required for pedestrians during daylight hours.

Best Time to Visit

Canberra’s spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) deliver mild temperatures and flowering gardens around the college. Early morning or late afternoon light is best for photographs, while midday visits suit those wanting to combine the grave with a tour of the adjacent military museum. Summer visits are possible but expect higher temperatures and fewer shaded spots.

Nearby Attractions

After paying respects, visitors often continue to the Australian War Memorial, ten minutes by car, or stroll the grounds of the National Arboretum. Lake Burley Griffin’s foreshore paths provide a pleasant walk or cycle back toward the city centre, linking the military history site with Canberra’s planned landscape.