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Oct 30, 1885
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Born in Wandsworth, London, England to Thomas
and Louise (nee Keats) Astridge
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Nov 3, 1914
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Attested into the 21st Battalion in
Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 33 (he was not assigned a 59xxx number for reasons below)
Ø Next of kin given as Thomas Astridge,
Ø Previous occupation given as Market Gardener
Ø Previous military experience given as 4 years in the 41st
Regiment, Brockville Rifles
Ø Religion given as Wesleyan
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Dec 30, 1914
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After undergoing surgery for an inflamed
appendix, he was discharged from the CEF in Kingston as being medically unfit.
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Aug 7, 1915
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Married to Hattie Madeline Marshall in
Brockville, Ontario
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Aug 9, 1915
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Shown on the payroll of the 8th CMR
(Canadian Mounted Rifles) in Kingston
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Aug 19, 1915
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Attested into “B” Squadron, 8th
CMR in the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 113064 (temporary number 8874)
Ø Next of kin given as Hattie M. Astridge, wife, 86 James St., East,
Brockville, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Florist
Ø Previous military experience given as 4 years in the 41st
Regiment, Brockville Rifles
Ø Religion given as Methodist
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Oct 8, 1915
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Embarked the SS
Missanabie in Montreal, Quebec
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Oct 19, 1915
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Disembarked in Plymouth, England and proceeded
to the Bramshott Camp
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Jan 28, 1916
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Transferred to the 4th CMR
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Jan 29, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre, France, TOS (Taken On Strength) the 4th CMR and assigned
to "A" Company
From the CBD War Diary on this date “Draft
of 465 Other Ranks arrived from Shorncliffe (all CMR’s). This draft was very badly equipped. 351 Jackets had to be exchanged; and 117 pair of
Boots had also to be exchanged (a few pairs were unserviceable). 60 men had no A.F.W.3066 pasted in their
Pay-Books. 262 men had rifles but no
bayonets. 408 woolen vests had to be
issued as a Free-Issue.”
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Feb 7, 1916
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Left the CBD to join his unit
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Feb 9, 1916
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Joined the 4th CMR near the Belgian
border as part of a draft of 300 reinforcements from the CBD. These men were initially held in the reserve lines
and gradually taken to the front lines in small groups.
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May 12, 1916
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While in the front line trench near Sanctuary
Wood, Private Astridge was shot in the head by an enemy sniper and instantly killed. He was buried in the Maple Copse Military
Cemetery, West Vlaanderen,
Belgium and the location recorded. However when the Graves Registration Commission
took over the cemetery at war’s end, his grave could not be located and a special
cross was erected, followed by a special headstone indicating that he is known to be in
the cemetery, but the exact location is not known
Following the war the British War Medal, Victory
Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his Widow,
Mrs. Hattie Astridge, 16 St. Andrew St., Brockville, Ontario
A second Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs.
Thomas Astridge, Commercial Travellers Schools, The Lodge, Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex,
England
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