ALDRIDGE, James Wesley (Dr) - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Dr. James Wesley Aldridge, 60, prominent Covington physician and civic leader, died at 11:50 p. m. Tuesday (Oct. 30, 1951) at St. Elizabeth Hospital here. He had been a patient since last Thursday. Dr. Aldridge was decorated by the late King George V of England for bravery in action during the attack on Eterpigny, France, Aug. 30, 1918. The doctor, then a captain in the Army Medical Corps, received the British Military Cross from the king in ceremonies at Buckingham palace. The doctor was cited for his action in caring for Allied wounded under enemy fire. He stayed in the encounter until the last wounded soldier was removed to hospitals at the rear. Prominent in civic affairs, the doctor was a member of Fountain Lodge 60, F&AM; Fulton-Banta Post 291, American Legion; VFW Post 2395; Covington Lions Club; Fountain-Warren Medical Society and a member of the Selective Service Board during World War 2. He was a past commander of the American Legion post, past president of the Lions Club and, at the time of death, was president of the present Fountain County Selective Service Board. His service in World War 1 was from Apr. 7, 1917, to Aug. 30, 1919. He had been a practicing physician at Covington since discharge from the medical service in 1919. Dr. Aldridge was born July 7, 1891, near Covington, the son of Divit and Lydia Stucker Aldridge. He was married to Martha Coffing June 8, 1922. She died Feb. 10, 1925. In June, 1941, the doctor married Helen Peters, who survives. Surviving in addition to the wife is a sister, Miss Anna Aldridge of Covington, and several cousins. The body was to be removed Wednesday night to the home of the sister, Pearl and Ninth Sts., where it will remain until services at 2 p.m. Friday in the Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will be conducted by the Rev. Mr. Kern, Washington, Ind., and the Rev. E. E. Jones of Covington. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Mr. Kern is a former Methodist pastor in Covington. Bodine and Shelby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Covington -- Dr. James Wesley Aldridge, 60, local physician who had an outstanding World War I record, died at St. Elizabeth's hospital in Danville, Ill., at 11:50 p. m. Tuesday. He had been ill for about a week. Dr. Aldridge's war record was climaxed by a personal citation by King George V of England in Buckingham Palace. He received the British Military cross for outstanding courage during the battle of Eterpigny, in France. Other battles in which he served were those of Arras, La Basse Canal, Packer Wood, Preseau, Hastres and Franchaux. Dr. Aldridge, not long out of medical school, enlisted in the U. S. Army on April 7, 1917, the day after war was declared with Germany. He was first assigned to the Army medical college at Washington, D. C. He later was transferred to Cambridge hospital at Aldershot, England. From there, he was attached to the first battalion, Rifle brigade, Fourth division, British army. He later was transferred to the Second division of the U. S. Army. He served overseas from Oct. 9, 1917, until Aug. 5, 1919. He received his commission as a captain in the medical corps Feb. 16, 1919. His patriotic service was not limited to the Army and he became a member of the Fountain county Selective Service board in World War II. He was serving as president of the board at the time of his death. Dr. Aldridge was a member of Fulton Banta post 291 of the American Legion and of the Fountain County Old Guard post 2395 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a member of the Fountain lodge No. 60, F. & A. M., of the Fountain-Warren Medical society and was a past president of the Covington Lions club. He was born July 7, 1891, near Covington, the son of Divit and Lydia Stucker Aldridge. He attended Covington schools and was graduated from high school in 1909. He began the practice of medicine here in 1919, following his discharge from the Army. He was first married June 8, 1922, to Martha Coffing, who preceded him in death Feb. 19, 1925. He was married a second time to Helen Peters on June 15, 1941. The survivors, besides the wife, are a sister, Miss Anna Aldridge, of Covington, and several cousins. The body is at the home of the sister, corner of Pearl and 9th streets, where friends may call. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p. m. at the Covington Presbyterian church. The services will be in charge of Rev. Kern, of Washington, Ind., and Rev. Everett Jones, pastor of the Covington Presbyterian church. Burial will be in the Mount Hope cemetery.