Rushden Echo May 22nd 1914, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Solicitor Succumbs to Pneumonia, After a Brief Illness

A great shock was experienced throughout the town of Rushden and district yesterday afternoon when the sad news became known that Mr. Charles Raymond Claridge, the youngest son of the late Mr. Ebenezer Claridge, of Rushden, had passed away after an illness of less than a week’s duration. The deceased gentleman who, by profession, was a solicitor, was well-known and highly respected throughout the town and county. It is only a week ago yesterday that he was playing tennis on the courts of the Irthlingborough Club, of which he was secretary, and he returned home by motor ’bus, riding on the top. The probability is that he then caught a chill, as upon his arrival home he complained of felling unwell. Nothing more serious than an ordinary cold was, however, then feared, but Mr. Claridge appeared to get worse, and on Monday his medical adviser diagnosed his complaint as pneumonia. A decided change for the worse was noted yesterday morning, when his heart became affected, and Dr. Milligan, of Northampton, was called in, but gave very little hope of his recovery. The end came peacefully at 2p.m. yesterday. He leaves a widow and one little daughter to mourn their loss.

The late Mr. Claridge was married about seven years ago to Miss Jessie Knight, only daughter of Councillor F. Knight, J.P., of the Old rectory, Rushden, and profound sympathy is felt with her in the sore bereavement she has sustained. It is only twelve months since Mr. and Mrs. Claridge moved into a new residence that had been built for them on the Newton Road, Rushden.

Mr. Claridge was Lieutenant of the O (Rushden) Company of Volunteers from its formation, and, when Mr. H. W. Jackson resigned the Captaincy, Mr. Claridge was promoted and continued Captain until the Volunteer movement was merged into the Territorials.

Deceased was sub-agent at Rushden in 1910 for Sir Arthur de Capell Brooke, Conservative candidate for East Northants.

The late Mr. Claridge was clerk to the Rushden and District Old Age Pensions Committee, and was president of the Rushden Town Band. An all-round athlete, he had played for his county at hockey, and also for the Rushden Town Cricket club, of which organisation he was a valued member. He was also one of the players of the old Rushden Town Football Club.

Great sympathy will be felt with Mrs. Ebenezer Claridge, who survives her son, and for the other members of his family, viz., Mrs. J. S. Mason (sister of the deceased|) and Messrs Oliver and Bert Claridge (his brothers), of the firm Messrs. Ebenezer Claridge and Sons Ltd.