Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

No.18 Platoon, D Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Canada, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
After the initial crossing of the Twente Canal on 3 April 1945 by the Royal Regiment of Canada in assault boats there was a large area between A and D Companies still in the possession of the enemy. Sergeant Eldridge was commanding Number 18 Platoon, and was ordered to move forward and try to contact A Company. He moved his platoon as far as a railway crossing where they came under a deadly hail of enemy machine-gun fire that was soon thickened by the devastating explosions of many bazooka and mortar bombs.
He quickly located the enemy position on a high feature. Realizing that unless the enemy position was cleaned out our situation on this side of the canal would become untenable, Sergeant Eldridge hastily conceived a plan to destroy the enemy.
With no concern for his personal safety he ran from section to section, outlining his plan and encouraging the men by his example and words. When the platoon was ready, he sprang up and led his men over the open fire swept ground to the very muzzles of the enemy machine-guns and bazookas, spraying the enemy positions with burst after burst from his sten gun. Though greatly outnumbered in both men and weapons he pressed forward to practically hand-to-hand grips with the enemy, who wavered before this courage and determination and withdrew, leaving many casualties behind. The position was soon consolidated, but the enemy reformed and mounted continuous counter-attacks with heavy mortar and artillery support. These counter-attacks had to be beaten off by small-arms fire as Battalion support weapons had not had time to cross the canal at this early stage and there were no communications to bring down artillery fire. In spite of these disadvantages, Sergeant Eldridge directed the fire of his platoon with great coolness and succeeded in repelling every enemy attack with heavy losses. After approximately two hours another company crossed the canal and the whole bridgehead was firmly consolidated.
Throughout this entire action the courage, resourcefulness and fine leadership of Sergeant Eldridge was an inspiration to his men and was largely instrumental in the successful establishment of the bridgehead across the Twente Canal.
This action is characteristic of the conduct of Sergeant Eldridge who has served with distinction in every battle in which his battalion took part since the landing in Normandy in July 1944 with the exception of a period of two weeks when hospitalized because of wounds. His magnificent courage and devotion to duty have been an inspiring example to all who served with him.