[3][4] During his National Service, Bristow turned down a move to follow former teammate Peter Broadbent to First Division club Wolverhampton Wanderers.
[5] After completing his National Service and a period as a guest with Dorset League club Blandford United,[3] it wasn't until the 1953–54 season that Bristow was able to hold down a regular first team place and he made 27 appearances in a campaign which saw the Bees relegated to the Third Division South.
[4] In February 1956, Bristow was awarded a testimonial versus an International Managers XI and was the club's youngest player to be granted the honour.
[3] After his release from Queens Park Rangers, Bristow dropped into non-League football and joined Southern League First Division club Yiewsley in 1962.
[3] Bristow undertook his National Service as a PT instructor at Blandford Camp and represented his battalion's football team.