Category: Military
Rank: Private 202102
Regiment or Ship: 2/6th Battalion North Staffordshire (Prince of Wales’s) Regiment
Service Number(s): 6008 and 202102
Occupation: Painter
Date of Birth: 1883
Place of Birth: Battle, Sussex
Date of Death: 21.03.1918
Place of Death: France
Place of Burial / Memorials:
Arras Memorial.
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
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, but in 1911 had moved again – to 2 Forge Cottages.
William never married.
First World War Experience
William served in the North Staffs (Prince of Wales’s) Regiment and was awarded both the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Like many others William’s service records have not survived so we do not have any details of his full war efforts. However, the following article appeared in the Bexhill Observer dated 24th May 1919:-
“Mrs. Eldridge, of 2, Forge-cottages, Sidley, has received official intimation from the authorities with regard to her son, Private William Eldridge, North Staffordshire Regiment, who has been missing since the 21st March 1918, that they are regretfully constrained to conclude that his death took place on that date. The Royal sympathy accompanied the message.
Private Eldridge joined up in 1916. His brother, Ernest, who was in the Royal Engineers, also lost his life in the war, and a banner to his memory was lately placed in Sidley Church.”