Helen Diana Bridgeman 1907-1967

On 21st July 1904 [her father] Orlando Bridgeman 5th Earl Bradford [aged 30] and [her mother] Margaret Cecilia Bruce Countess Bradford [aged 21] were married. He the son of [her grandfather] George Cecil Orlando Bridgeman 4th Earl Bradford [aged 59] and [her grandmother] Ida Frances Annabella Lumley Countess Bradford [aged 55].

On 22nd June 1907 Helen Diana Bridgeman was born to Orlando Bridgeman 5th Earl Bradford [aged 33] and Margaret Cecilia Bruce Countess Bradford [aged 24].

In 1915 [her grandfather] George Cecil Orlando Bridgeman 4th Earl Bradford [aged 70] died. His son [her father] Orlando [aged 41] succeeded 5th Earl Bradford, 5th Viscount Newport of Shropshire, 6th Baron Bradford in Shropshire, 10th Baronet Bridgeman of Great Lever in Lancashire. [her mother] Margaret Cecilia Bruce Countess Bradford [aged 32] by marriage Countess Bradford.

On 1st December 1921 Henry Abdy 4th Baronet [aged 68] died. His son [her future husband] Robert [aged 25] succeeded 5th Baronet Abdy of Albyns in Essex.

On 28th February 1922 Henry Lascelles 6th Earl Harewood [aged 39] and Princess Mary Windsor Countess Harewood [aged 24] were married at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His best-man was Major Victor Mackenzie 3rd Baronet [aged 39]. Her bridesmaids included Doris Hilda Gordon-Lennox [aged 25], Mary Cambridge Duchess Beaufort [aged 24], Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon [aged 21], Princess Maud Duff Countess Southesk [aged 28], Rachel Cavendish [aged 20], Helen Diana Bridgeman [aged 14], Mary Beatrice Thynne Baroness Nunburnholme [aged 18] and Princess May of Teck [aged 16]. The wedding was attending by her father and mother King George V of the United Kingdom [aged 56] and Victoria Mary Teck Queen Consort England [aged 54]. She the daughter of King George V of the United Kingdom and Victoria Mary Teck Queen Consort England. He the son of Henry Ulrick Lascelles 5th Earl Harewood [aged 75] and Florence Katharine Bridgeman Countess Harewood [aged 63].

1928. Harold Speed [aged 55]. Portrait of Helen Diana Bridgeman [aged 20].

On 10th February 1930 Robert Abdy 5th Baronet [aged 33] and Helen Diana Bridgeman [aged 22] were married. She the daughter of Orlando Bridgeman 5th Earl Bradford [aged 56] and Margaret Cecilia Bruce Countess Bradford [aged 47].

1935. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde [aged 41]. Photograph of Helen Diana Bridgeman [aged 27]. © National Portrait Gallery.

1935. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde [aged 41]. Photograph of Helen Diana Bridgeman [aged 27]. © National Portrait Gallery.

On 11th September 1937 [her son] Valentine Abdy 6th Baronet was born to [her husband] Robert Abdy 5th Baronet [aged 41] and Helen Diana Bridgeman [aged 30].

On 19th July 1939 [her brother-in-law] Weetman John Pearson 3rd Viscount Cowdray [aged 29] and [her sister] Anne Pamela Bridgeman Viscountess Cowdray [aged 26] were married. She by marriage Viscountess Cowdray of Cowdray in Sussex. She the daughter of [her father] Orlando Bridgeman 5th Earl Bradford [aged 65] and [her mother] Margaret Cecilia Bruce Countess Bradford [aged 56].

On 30th October 1946 [her brother] Gerald Bridgeman 6th Earl of Bradford [aged 35] and [her sister-in-law] Mary Willoughby Montgomery Countess Bradford were married. He the son of [her father] Orlando Bridgeman 5th Earl Bradford [aged 73] and [her mother] Margaret Cecilia Bruce Countess Bradford [aged 64].

On 16th April 1949 [her mother] Margaret Cecilia Bruce Countess Bradford [aged 66] died.

In 1950 [her brother-in-law] Weetman John Pearson 3rd Viscount Cowdray [aged 39] and [her sister] Anne Pamela Bridgeman Viscountess Cowdray [aged 36] were divorced.

On 21st March 1957 [her father] Orlando Bridgeman 5th Earl Bradford [aged 83] died. His son [her brother] Gerald [aged 45] succeeded 6th Earl Bradford, 6th Viscount Newport of Shropshire, 7th Baron Bradford in Shropshire, 11th Baronet Bridgeman of Great Lever in Lancashire. [her sister-in-law] Mary Willoughby Montgomery Countess Bradford by marriage Countess Bradford.

On 7th May 1967 Helen Diana Bridgeman [aged 59] died.

On 17th November 1976 [her former husband] Robert Abdy 5th Baronet [aged 80] died. His son Valentine [aged 39] succeeded 6th Baronet Abdy of Albyns in Essex.