Category: Military
Rank: Second Ship's Cook
Regiment or Ship: "Duke of Welllington" (first ship)
Service Number(s): 34459
Occupation: Milkman (1901)
Date of Birth: 12.06.1882
Place of Birth: Battle, Sussex
Date of Death: 24.10.1941
Address: Windsor Road, Bexhill
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: John Eldridge, b. 1848 in Battle, d. 1903, and Mary Eldridge (nee Hollands), b. 1849 in Battle, d. 1919.
Siblings:
Jack Eldridge, b. 1871 in Battle.
Emily Eldridge, b. 1875 in Battle.
James Eldridge, b. 1878 in Battle. W0272 ELDRIDGE James Levi
Charles Eldridge, b. 1881 in Battle.
In 1891 the family was living at Whattles Wish, Battle, and John was working as an agricultural labourer. By 1901 they had moved to 35 Salisbury Road, Bexhill. At this stage John had died but a son, Jack E. Holloway, was living with his mother, Mary, and was employed as a general labourer. Harry was employed as a milkman.
First World War Experience
Harry enlisted in the Royal Navy on 2nd October 1901 for 12 years as a volunteer. He was employed as a bottle washer and worked his way up a Second Ship’s Cook.
He was shown to be 5’ 8” in 1901 (by 1913 he had gained one inch and was 5’ 9”). He had dark brown hair, grey eyes, with a fresh complexion.
His first ship was the “Duke of Wellington” and his last one was the “Vivid II”. In the 1911 census he was on land and listed as Single, Second Ship’s Cook, and his religion was Church of England.
The following article appeared in the Bexhill Chronicle on 22nd August 1914:-
“Amongst the crew on board when H.M.S. ‘Amphion’ was blown up by a sunken mine was Mr. Harry Eldridge, of Windsor Road, Bexhill. Some fears were felt for his safety, as his name did not appear in the injured list or those who were saved; later, however, it was found that he had been injured. Fortunately, it was simply by a burn in the back of his head. He returned home for a few hours, and remained a night, but left for the naval depot at Devonport to await orders. He has another brother in the Navy who is in the ‘thick of the fight’.”
When Harry left the navy on 26th February 1923 he was shown to be of good character and was awarded a reduced pension (volunteer).
He died on 24th October 1941 and his probate date was 11th July 1945. Unfortunately, no record of this probate can be found.