Category: Military
Rank: Lance Corporal 534163
Regiment or Ship: 2nd Home Counties Royal Engineers (T)
Service Number(s): 534163
Occupation: Plumber
Date of Birth: 1887
Place of Birth: Battle, Sussex
Date of Death: 1944
Place of Death: Battle registration district.
Address: 2 Forge Cottages, 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
Ernest John Eldridge, b. 1880 in Battle. W0080 ELDRIDGE Ernest John
William Eldridge, b. 1883 in Battle. W0081 ELDRIDGE William
Percy Eldridge, b. 1885 in Battle. W0228 ELDRIDGE Percy
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.
On 6th November 1915 Charles married Sarah Louisa Bristow. No children of this union have been found.
First World War Experience
Charles enlisted in October 1914 and, at this time, his rank was Sapper. He was made Lance Corporal on 21st April 1915 but after 25th August 1915 he reverted to Sapper.
In the Bexhill Observer dated 24th July 1915 the following article appeared:
“Lance-Corporal Eldridge, of the 2nd Home Counties Field Company, R.E., is in Netley Hospital suffering from a bullet wound in the right foot, which he sustained at Ypres. He is going on well and is expected home shortly.
Lance Corporal Eldridge, who is well known at Sidley where he was a member of the Sidley United Football Club, has seen a lot of service at the Front, including the mining of Hill 60. He served under Lieut. R. H. Bones, of Hastings.”
He was in hospital for the wound – a shrapnel wound to the right foot, which happened on July 2nd – from 8.7.1915 to 10.8.1915. The medical report stated “Superficial wound size of farthing in centre of tarsus to R foot mid-line. No pain.” He was treated by rest in bed and fermentations followed by strapping of foot. The wound healed and his movement was then normal.
Charles was also in hospital between 21st August 1916 and 30th September 1916 for syphilis. This medical report read:- “Indurated sore on prepuce. Both lymphatic glands enlarged and hard. Rash on trunk and legs. Treated with four injections of Galyl.3, three inj. of Gallyl.6, and six injections of HgT. Discharged from Hosp. but to attend nearest Military Hosp in six weeks time for six weekly injections of HgT.”
Charles received the 1914-1918 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.