Private Eric James Ingram born 14th February, 1894 in Gisbourne, New Zealand.  Son of Thomas Ingram & Mary Ellen (Smith - daughter of James Smith, Napier), born 14th February, 1894. His parents Thomas and Mary Ellen married 10 October 1887 at the Manse in Waipukurau. Eric was their third child.

Eric's brothers and sisters are:
- Robert Oswald Ingram - b 1888 - 1916 married Winifred Bertha Parkinson
- Mabel Margaret Ingram - b 1891 - 1929 married Andrew Robert Duncan
- Ralph Thomas Ingram - B 1895
- Ellen Ingram - b. 1886 d 1895

In early 1884 Eric’s father Thomas purchased a farm in Patutahi (west of Gisborne). Ten years later in February 1894, he purchased the Owen Gallagher's Hotel in Patutahi. The price was 450 pounds for a 7 roomed house, 10 acres and 30 perches.  Sadly, Thomas died several months later on April 4th at the age of 34 years  struck down by Typhoid Fever.  Eric was only 2 months old.   Mary Ellen is left a widow with 4 small children. Fortunately in 1897 she met and married George Cottrell a commercial traveller and the family moved to Waiotahi, Opotiki. Success came to the family and in 1908, Eric was sent to King's College in Auckland to finish his education. Around 1913 the whole family moved to Auckland.

In 1914 at the age of 20 years, Eric, with help from his stepfather and mother leased a farm in the Whangaripo Valley, north of Auckland.
Early in 1915 the three Ingram brothers joined up to serve their country. Both Ralph and Eric serving with the 21st Reinforcements, (Photo: he wears the Fantail Collar badge of the 21st) E Company - Wellington Infantry Regiment - 3rd battalion. Robert became very ill with Malaria and spent many months in Hospital. He survived and returned to New Zealand, Ralph also survived although was badly wounded September 1916.
Eric was first wounded in action on 13 June 1917 returning to his unit early August 1917. Sadly, he was Killed in action at Battle of Broodseinde Ridge, 4 October 1917, Ypres, Belgium. He was 24 years old.  35,000 casualties for the period 1–10 October, 1,853 New Zealanders. 

 Private Eric Ingram is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing,  New Zealand Apse, Panel 6, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, as well as the  Matakana War Memorial.

Matakana War Memorial