Category: Military
Rank: Private G/18343
Regiment or Ship: 11th Bn Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment
Service Number(s): G/18343
Occupation: Bricklayer
Date of Birth: 1885
Place of Birth: Battle, Sussex
Address: 2 Forge Cottages, Ninfield Road, 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
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. He was not married and lived with Eli and Ann, as did William and Charles Elijah.
First World War Experience
Percy enlisted on 29th February 1916 when he was 31 years and 7 months old. He was 5’ 6” tall, with a chest measurement of 33½” – expansion 2½”. As he was not married he gave his mother, Anne, as his next of kin. Unfortunately, Percy was wounded after being in the B.E.F. for only 41 days. He was wounded in the left foot about 16th October 1916 and was repatriated back to England where he served for another 13 months, until he was finally discharged on 3rd. December 1917.
Percy was awarded both the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
He attended a Welcome Home dinner at the Sidley Church Institute in June 1919.