Hundreds of thousands of people cross them every year in cars, on cycles and on foot and they are a vital part of our day-to-day lives. Without them, many people would be unable to get to work, to do their shopping or to visit friends and family. So maybe it's a little surprising that few people give much thought to the bridges that cross the River Thames - we just take them for granted.

I love this time of year on the river. It doesn't really matter whether it's a bright, crisp autumn day or a dull, misty morning, the Thames has its own very special moods.

During the Second World War, people from all walks of life did their bit for the country in whatever ways they could – among them, helping to protect key installations like locks, bridges and weirs on the River Thames as members of the Upper Thames Patrol (UTP).