Category: Military
Rank: Private
Regiment or Ship: 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry
Service Number(s): 326577
Occupation: Watchman
Date of Birth: 1878
Place of Birth: Battle, Sussex
Date of Death: 1962
Address: 2 Forge Cottages, Sidley, Bexhill
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:
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
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.
Harry married Alice Deeprose, who was born in 1881 in Brighton, on 28th June 1902, and they had one child, Gladys May, who was born on 10th September 1905 in Bexhill.
In 1911 Harry’s family were living at 24 Camperdown Street, Sidley, and Harry was employed as a general labourer. However, when Harry enlisted in 1916 he gave his occupation as ‘Watchman’.
First World War Experience
Harry enlisted on 6th July 1916 into the 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was 5’ 3” tall, with a chest measurement of 36½” – expanded by 2½”.
He served 124 days in England before going to Salonica with the B.E.F. where he served for 2 years 114 days. Whilst in Salonica he contracted malaria and was sent back to England where he served for a further 1 year and 6 days when he was discharged. On his discharge papers he was described as of sober character, reliable, and intelligent.
In early 1919 he was the subject of a medical examination and found to have a 60% degree of disability (reducing to 30%) and was awarded the following weekly pension:
16s. 6d. from 30.3.1919 for 26 weeks; then 8s. 3d. from 1.10.1919; to be reviewed in 26 weeks. For Gladys he was allowed a pension of 4s. from 30.3.1919 then 2s. from 1.10.1919.