Anthony "Lofty" William Charles Eldridge DSC was a Royal Navy officer of the Second World War who led a human torpedo attack that sank two Japanese ships off Phuket, Thailand, for which he received the Distinguished Service Cross.
12 Facts About Tony Eldridge
1.
2.
Anthony William Charles Tony Eldridge was born on 16 July 1923 in Royal Tunbridge Wells, and for his education he studied at The Skinners' School.
3.
Tony Eldridge served as a lance-corporal in the Home Guard before joining the Royal Navy in January 1942, when he was eighteen.
4.
Tony Eldridge volunteered for special service and was sent for dive training and then in April 1944 began learning to be a human torpedo using a Chariot manned torpedo.
5.
Tony Eldridge saw the force of the explosion sending debris to twice the height of the ship's mast.
6.
Tony Eldridge emigrated to South Africa in 1954, where he continued his work for International Computers Limited installing information management systems.
7.
Tony Eldridge served there for 18 years and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal before moving back to South Africa after Rhodesian Independence.
8.
Tony Eldridge became prominent in the South African Legion, serving as a local chairman, provincial chairman and life vice president.
9.
Tony Eldridge became blind through suffering macular degeneration but enjoyed reading after being taught to use a computer by Blind Veterans UK.
10.
Tony Eldridge attended the Cenotaph commemorations on Remembrance Sunday each year, of standing on parade he said -.
11.
In 1950 Tony Eldridge married Dorothy Perkins, with whom he had three daughters and a son.
12.
Tony Eldridge wrote his autobiography in 1998 entitled, Just Out of Sight as well as recording an audio-history for the Imperial War Museum.