EAGLE, Gerald Charles



2nd Lieutenant, Gerald Charles EAGLE
Aged 22


7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
formerly 12159, Private, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on 12th October 1916


Gerald Charles Eagle was born in Risby in 1894, (Thingoe Q4-1894 4A:771) baptised at St Giles, Risby on 28th October 1894, son of Percy and Mary Ann Elizabeth EAGLE (née TAYLOR).

1901 census...Aged 6, he was at Quays Farm with his father Percy EAGLE [34] farmer; his mother Mary [32]; brothers Lionel [9] and Harold [4]; sisters Gladys [8], Dorothy [3] and Constance [1]. All were born in Risby.

1911 census...Aged 16 he was at College Place, Walthamstow as a pupil. At Risby were his parents; brothers Lionel (horse man) and Harold; sisters Gladys, Dorothy, Constance, twins Violet and Daisy [9], Mary [6] and Maude [1], all born in Risby.



He enlisted as Private 12159 in Suffolk Regiment and was commissioned in September 1914.

The 7th Suffolk were in the front line,prepared to attack BAYONET TRENCH and LUISENHOFF FARM, it was a quiet morning and by 5am the battalion was lying in shell holes in front, ready.
Major Henty went to forward HQ in GRASS STREET to get reports at 10 am.
At 2 pm the attack started, the German barrage was very intense. The battalion advanced in four waves, each company with a platoon front. No definite report was made until 6 pm when the battalion was back in front line, having failed to reach its objective.
'B' and 'D' Coys had reached their objective but were driven back by superior numbers. 1st Essex on the right gained their objective but were unable to hold it, finally they managed keep a part of it. The Battalion withdrew to Reserve in FLERS TRENCH.

Lt Col Murphy, in his "History of the Suffolk Regiment" records that over 500 men became casualties, due in part to uncut wire and to an ineffective barrage. One officer had been buried twice before zero hour and all the officers that went over the top were casualties. CWGC puts the dead at 104.

The Bury Free Press of 21st October 1916 reported:-
LIEUT. G.C.EAGLE KILLED IN ACTION

it is with deep and sincere regret we learn that Second-Lieut. G.C.Eagle, of the 7th Suffolks, son of Mr. and Mrs. Percy Eagle, of Risby, was killed in action on October 12th. He joined the Army at the outbreak of war and went to France in June 1915. He was slightly wounded in the early part of this year, and in March was invalided home with jaundice. He returned to France on August 22nd. Mr.and Mrs. Eagle and family will have the sympathy of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in their great sorrow.



Gerald Eagle is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial, pier and face 1C/2A

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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