Corporal John Ross Berridge was born in Chellington, Bedforshire, but his mother died when he was just four years old and he was adopted by his aunts and moved to Oakham where he grew up. He lived with his aunt, Miss Berridge of Rosemary Cottage, 23, South Street in Oakham. John started in business at Hartslands Road, Sevenoaks, and was called up in May 1915. He went out to the Western Front in October the same year and took part in many engagements until he was killed in action at Cambrai on 21 March 1918, one of 13 Rutland men killed that day. He left a widow and five children, but his wife died shortly after him, on 13 November 1918 leaving his children as orphans. John is buried in Vadencourt British Cemetery in Maissemy in France, grave I.B.30, and is remembered on the war memorial in Oakham.