In Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 19226 Corporal John William Eltringham, serving with ‘B’ Company, 10th Battalion (Service) Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment) who died 11/01/1916.
The husband of W. L. Eltringham, of 34, Grove Park Avenue, South Chingford, London.
John William was born the 2nd December 1877, at Dobson’s Buildings, Washington Station the son of John William Eltringham, a Blacksmith, and his wife Mary Ann, [born in London], daughter of John Burn. The family had seven children, eldest was George Henry, John William then 5 younger sisters, Mary Grace, Louise Jane, Ethel, Eleanor and Gertrude, all residing in 1901, at 14 Albert Place, Washington, John at this time was a machinist in an Engineering Shop. They had all moved after 1891 from 1 Main Street, Washington.
John was educated at Washington and was employed as an insurance agent by the Prudential Assurance Company.
He married at the Holy Trinity Church in Washington on the 31st March 1907, Winifred Lizzie Reeson, [born at Rushden, Northamptonshire], of Washington Village, who was the daughter of John Reeson. They had a son John Theodore who was born the 25th June 1909. In 1911 they were all residing at 125 Spout Lane, Washington, Durham.
John enlisted on the 4th September 1914, and served in France and Flanders from the 9th September 1915. He was killed in action at Armentieres on the 11th January 1916.
The 10th Battalion War Diary states that the Battalion were in trenches 74 to 77, and that from 11.15pm, on the 11th, the British Artillery opened up on the German lines until 11.40 pm. The 12th Northumberland Fusiliers were planning a trench raid opposite the German line. The Germans retaliated and caused 9 casualties, 9248, Private, C. Keating, ‘D’ Company, 20325, Private W. Eliott, ‘C’ Company, 12671, Private C. Millet, ‘C’ Company, 16759, Private J. Laws, ‘A’ Company, 12886, Private W. Bruce, ‘A’ Company, 13436. Private J. Hetherington, ‘A’ Company, were all wounded, 17342, Private G. Wilson, ‘C’ Company suffered shell shock, and 19226 Private J.W. Eltringham ‘B’ Company and 18618 Private W. Appleton ‘B’ Company were both killed.
[Note the war diary has the incorrect rank for John William Eltringham].
Source: De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
The CWGC site reads “husband of W. L. Eltringham, of 34, Grove Park Avenue, South Chingford, London” which suggests that she moved down to London after her husband was killed.
John William Eltringham is remembered at Washington on W96.01, and at Sunderland in S140.048 part 13, page 277. He is also remembered on the Prudential Assurance Company Roll of Honour page 14, though showing the incorrect regiment.
With thanks to the Prudential Assurance Company.
