Category: Military
Rank: Private 46721
Regiment or Ship: 11th Battalion Royal Engineers and then Leicestershire Regiment.
Service Number(s): 1) 184787 2) 46721
Occupation: Bricklayer
Date of Birth: 1869
Place of Birth: Battle, Sussex
Date of Death: 12.10.1917
Place of Death: France and Flanders
Place of Burial / Memorials:
Huts Cemetery
Address: 9, Camperdown Street, Sidley
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents:  Elijah (Duke) Eldridge, b. 1849, in Battle, d. 1915, and Ann Eldridge (nee Southouse), b. 1848 in Ninfield, d. 1933.          .
Siblings:
Harry Eldridge, b. 1878 in Battle. W0227 ELDRIDGE Harry
William Eldridge, b. 1883 in Battle.  W0081 ELDRIDGE William
Percy Eldridge, b. 1885 in Battle. W0228 ELDRIDGE Percy
Charles Elijah Eldridge, b. 1887 in Battle. W0229 ELDRIDGE Charles Elijah
In 1901 the family were living in Sidley Green, and Elijah was a bricklayer, as was Harry and Ernest. William was employed as a painter, Percy was a labourer, and Charles Elijah was a plumber’s labourer. By 1910 Eli had moved to 27 Windsor Road, but in 1911 had moved again – to 2 Forge Cottages.
Ernest married Ruth Amy Wood – known as Amy – in 1908 but no children have been found. In 1911 Ernest and Amy were living at 9 Camperdown Street, Sidley, and Ernest was working as a bricklayer.
First World War Experience
Sadly, Charles’ service records have not survived so we only know that he enlisted at Chatham and served both in the Royal Engineers and the 11th Batt. Leicestershire Regiment. He fought in the Western Europe Theatre of War and was killed 12th October 1917. Notice of his death appeared in the Bexhill Chronicle of 17th November 1917.
Charles was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.