Pte 17817 Edward Eagles

• Age: 29
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 24th April 1916
• Commemorated at: Becourt Military Cem
  Panel Ref: I.J.5

Edward was born on 17th July 1886 and baptised on 05th September 1886 at Christ Church, Kensington, Liverpool the 8^th of 10 children born to Frederick Eagles, a hotel porter born in London, and his wife Susan (nee Banks), from Heswall. His parents were married in 1873 at St. Mary’s, Birkenhead.

In 1891 the family lived at 351 Smithdown Road, Liverpool. His father is shown as 37 years of age and a hotel porter, his mother is 38 years old. They have 10 children living with them; Ellen aged 16, John 14 is an office boy, Frederick 13 is also an office boy, William aged 12 is a poulterer's assistant, Susan 10, Elizabeth 8  and Mary A. 6 are all shown as scholars. Edward is 5 Charles is 4 and Robert is 4 months old. Also declared in the household are two lodgers Frank Fulton aged 20 described as coal dealer and John Fulton aged 18 and a coal dealer's assistant.  

The 1901 Census finds the family have moved and are living at 93 Canning Street, Liverpool. Both parents are present as are six of their children; William aged 22 is a hotel porter, Susan aged 20 is a draper's shop assistant, Elizabet 18 has no occupation listed, as does both Mary A. aged 16 and Edward aged 15. Robert is 10 years of age and likely to be a schoolboy. 

The 1911 Census shows the family are still living at 93 Canning Street. His father, Frederick  is a 56 year old hotel porter, his mother, Susan is also aged 56. They have been married for 36 years and have had 10 children, one of whom has died. They have four children living with them;  William, is a 32 year old widower, hotel porter; Agnes, is 26 years old and is described as “lives at home and does nothing”; Edward, 24, is a licensee/publican; and Robert,20, is an “American Bar tender”. Also present is Edward described as grandson aged 2 and who is likely to be the son of William. There is also a boarder declared, Edwin Theobold, a banker.

On 14^th September 1914, Edward enlisted at Liverpool joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17817. He gave his age as 28 years 212 days, his occupation as licensed victualler, and his father, Frederick, of 93 Canning Street as his next of kin.

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

Edward served in France from 07^th November 1915, earning all 3 medals.

In March 1916 had 5 days sick in 97^th Field Ambulance suffering from catarrh. He returned to his unit on 26^th March 1916.

Four weeks later, on 24^th April 1916, he was killed in action aged 29.

Edward now rests at Beaucourt Cemetery, Grave 1 J 5. 

The Military Cemetery was begun in August, 1915, by the 51st (Highland) Division, and carried on by the 18th and other Divisions in the line until the Battles of the Somme, 1916. It continued in use, chiefly by Field Ambulances, until April, 1917; and Plot II was made by the 18th Division at the end of August, 1918. There are now 713 casualties of the 1914-1918 war commemorated in this site. Of these, 8 are unidentified and a special memorial is erected to a soldier from the United Kingdom buried among them. Three German graves have been removed. The cemetery covers an area of 4,327 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall.

Edward’s death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 06th May 1916 & also on 08th May1916:

- Killed in Action -

EAGLES – April 23 – Private Edward (Ted) Eagles Kings Liverpool Regt. Dearly beloved brother of L Cattrall 26 Elmbank Road, Sefton Park. He died a soldier and a Man.

A more detailed report appeared in the Liverpool Echo on 12th June 1916:

A LIVERPOOL SOLDIER

Private Edward Eagles, of the King's Liverpool Regiment, whose parents reside at 93 Canning-street, Liverpool has been killed in action in France. A brother, also at the front and in the same regiment, writing home describes his death as follows: -

"They were but digging by night behind the firing line in a very exposed position. They had just commenced to dig when a stray bullet came over from where the Bosches are and passed through his brain. He never murmured a word and died five minutes later, the finest and best lad that ever breathed. They thought the world of him in his platoon. There wasn't a sign of pain on his features, and I am sure he could not have died a more painless death. The sun shone beautifully, and as we passed all the soldiers stood to attention and saluted the remains. I assisted in filling the grave of my best and truest friend"   

His section commander, writing to Private Eagles' mother says:-

"His death has cast a cloud over us all, for he was loved by everyone who knew him. He was undoubtedly the best man in my section. Whatever he had to do he did it thoroughly, and I could rely on him at all times. It was his sincerity and genuineness that appealed to us and again and again his dry humour and ready wit cheered us all up" 

In 1920, his father, Frederick, submitted his sworn declaration re relationship to the deceased soldier and said that his wife, Susan, was “dead through grief at the loss of her son” - she did in fact die in June 1916. He also declared that he had 3 surviving sons and 4 daughters and was living at 10 Paradise Street, Liverpool. His sons included Robert, born 1890, who could be identical with Robert Eagles who served throughout the Great War as Private 22063, King’s Liverpool Regiment, although this man’s medal card shows his address in 1921 as 1 Lord Street, Blackpool.

Edward is commemorated on the following Memorials:

St Saviours School, Liverpool

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall Panel 2.

We currently have no further information on Edward Eagles. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

 

Grateful thanks are extended to Joe Devereux for his permission to use the photograph now shon on this site.