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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | DSO, MiD, 1914-15 Star | Coughton Church Cemetery |
| British War & Victory Medals | ||
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 1 Aug 1915 (Gallipoli) | See below | Coughton | Sambourne |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| Raid on Zeebrugge | 1 Sep 1901 Commissioned | Marlborough College |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Zeebrugge | ~ | |
Military Service History
- 1 Sep 1901 - Commissioned to 2nd Lt
- 1 Jul 1902 - Promoted to Lt
- 1 Sep 1912 - Promoted to Captain
- 1 Aug 1915 - Sent to the Dardenelles
- 19 Aug 1915 - landed at Cape Helles
- 30 May 1916 - Promoted to Temp Major 30 May 1916 confirmed 1 Sep 1917
- 13 Nov 1916 - Saw action at Beaumont Hamel
- Jan & Feb 1917 - Saw actions on the Ancre
- 4 Jan 1917 - Mentioned in dispatches by Field Marshall Haig
- 20 Feb 1917 - saw action at Baillescourt Farm
- 25 Apr 1917 - distinguished himself at Gavrelle
- 19 May 1917 - wounded in action and invalided back to UK
- Selected for special training for the Raid on Zeebrugge
- 23 Jul 1918 - Mentioned in dispatches (posthumously)
Distinguished Service Order
Charles was given the Distinguished Servce Order for leading the defense of a windmill east of Gavrelle which he and 37 men held for 5 days while the enemy surrounded him, the village of Gavrelle itself was caputured and re-capatured several times while he and his men held the windmill.
Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)
Charles took part in the Zeebrugge Raid on 23 April 1918 (St. George's Day), the raid was an attempt by the Royal Navy to block the Belgian port of Bruges-Zeebrugge. The British intended to sink obsolete ships in the canal entrance, to prevent German vessels from leaving port. The port was used by the Imperial German Navy as a base for U-boats and light shipping, which were a threat to Allied control of the English Channel and southern North Sea. Charles was killed during the raid.Please click here for a full description of the raid by the Western Front Association.
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Bapitsm Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 16 Nov 1883 at Redditch | 16 Dec 1883 at Redditch |
| Parents Names | Parents Abode |
| Rev. Charles Frederick and Susan N Eagles | Coughton Vicarage |
| Wife & Marriage Date/Place | Children & Year of Birth |
| Esme Beatrice Eagles nee Field | Charles Edward James born 14 May 1918 |
| 28 Jun 1917 at Woolton, Liverpool | |
| Schools | Colleges |
| Marlborough College Jul 1897 to July 1901 | ~ |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1883 - Redditch | 1897 - Student |
| 1891 - Coughton Vicarage | 1901 - Career Army Officer |
| 1901 - Marlborough College | |
| 1911 - HMS Hogue at Margate | |
| 1917 - Coughton Vicarage |
At the time of their marriage Esme was working at Woolton Hospital and it is quite possible that Charles was treated there after being wounded in May 1917.
