Category: Military
Rank: Private
Regiment or Ship: The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment; Labour Corps.
Service Number(s): 50113; 79936
Occupation: Cable jointer
Date of Birth: 1878
Place of Birth: Hailsham, Sussex
Date of Death: 11.02.1943
Place of Death: Battle registration district.
Address: Nelson Villa, 69 Windsor Road, Bexhill
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: John Eldridge, b. 1849 in Battle, d. 1903, and Mary Eldridge (nee Holland), b. 1850 in Battle, d. 1919.
Siblings:
Emily Eldridge, b. 1875 in Battle. In the 1891 census Emily was listed as a ‘cripple’.
Charles Eldridge, b. 1881 in Battle.
Harry Eldridge, born in Battle. W0233 ELDRIDGE Harry
In 1891 John, Mary and family were living at Whattres Wish, Battle, and John was employed as an agricultural labourer.
Spouse: In 1899 James married Mercy Mitchell (1878-1948) in the Battle registration district. They had four children: Edith (1899-1974); James Levi Thomas (1901-1963); Emily Jane (1904-); Annie Havelock M. (1905-).
James and Mercy lived at 33 Salisbury Road in 1901 but moved to 69 Windsor Road in 1904. At the time of his death in 1943 James and Mercy were living at 69 Reginald Road.
James’ probate was filed on 21 April 1943 as:
ELDRIDGE James Levi of 69 Reginald-road Bexhill on Sea Sussex died 11 February 1943. Administration LEWES 21 April to Mercy Eldridge widow. Effects £2711-16-4d.
First World War Experience
Unfortunately, James’ service records did not survive the bombings of WW2 so we know practically nothing of his war service. We do know, however, that he enlisted in the Army Reserve before December 1915 and served as a Private in both The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment and the Labour Corps.
He was awarded both the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.