William James Ridout

Story:
William James Ridout was born in Stour Row, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3 Jan 1878 and baptised at Stour Provost, Dorset, on 27 Mar 1878 the son of Charles Ridout, a Farmer, and Hannah Sarah Ridout (nee Stone).  He lived his early life with his family at Tile House Farm, Stour Row, until by 1908, when he married Margaret Florence Eyles in Hackney, London, on 19 Aug 1908.   By 1911 he was living in Balham. London, working as a Drapers Assistant.  He enlisted on 11 Dec 1915 but was not mobilized until 2 Sep 1916 when he joined the 2/1 Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment as a Private (Service No. 265708).  He was transferred to the 6th (Cyclists) Battalion of his regiment (Service No. 2821) and later to the Army Pay Corps on 28 Nov 1918 (Service No. 24403).  He was at this time promoted to Corporal.  He was discharged on 24 Apr 1920 but no medal records can be found.   Both the 1021 Census and 1939 Register shows he was living at 49 Spa Hill, Upper Norwood, Surrey, working as a Linen Drapers Assistant for Harrods Stores Ltd.   His death was recorded at the Croydon, Surrey, Registry in 1969.