Ernest Eldridge

Ernest Arthur Douglas Eldridge (18 July 1897 – 27 October 1937) was a British racing car driver who broke the world land speed record in 1924. His was the last land speed record set on an open road.

Early life

Eldridge was born on 18 July 1897 at Hampstead, London to a wealthy family. His father was a successful "bill discounter". Educated at Harrow School he quit while in the 6th form to go to the Western Front, in the First World War. Eldridge joined the British Red Cross Society and Order of St John of Jerusalem, possibly as an ambulance driver. He may have also served in the French Artillery.

He married Majorie M. Tooth in 1915 at Brentford, Middlesex; she died before the Second World War. He married second, in 1925, a French woman named Marie whom he had "married" while still married to Marjorie

Not much is known about the years between 1918 and 1921 when he reappeared at Brooklands. There are unconfirmed myths about him flying with Count Zborowski. He was a pilot, surviving a plane crash at Brooklands in 1922. He received his pilot licence (Number 7944) on 21 August 1923 at Stag Lane Aerodrome, Edgware and Brooklands, flying a Sopwith Gnu. His licence lists his profession as Automobile Engineer.