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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 172

Four: Able Seaman G. R. Eagles, Royal Navy, who served aboard H.M.S. Sussex following the surrender of the Japanese Army, including an extensive photograph archive with images of General Itagaki boarding

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, sold together with riband bar excluding War Medal, sold together with an archive of original material, very fine overall (4)

George Redvers Eagles was born at Burslem, Staffordshire on 6 November 1925, the second son of Joseph and Florence Eagles. Joseph Eagles was a general labourer at Shelton Steel Works in Stoke-on-Trent.

Eagles volunteered for the Royal Navy on 21 January 1943 providing a false date of birth (6th November 1924) in order to enlist. His ploy was successful, becoming an Ordinary Seamen and was sent for training at the stone frigate H.M.S. Collingwood. After 3 months here, he was transferred for a fortnight to H.M.S. Victory for more training and returned to Collingwood for a further three months. This culminated in qualifying a gunnery course at H.M.S. Excellent in Portsmouth, with a grade of 68.3%, 4 June 1943.

Eagles first deployment was aboard H.M.S. Deveron based out of the shore facility H.M.S. Eaglet on 22 July 1943. The next day, they performed anti-submarine training to be prepared during their convoys across the Atlantic. The first of these convoys was on 24 October 1943, departing from St John's, Canada, arriving in British waters on 6 November. On 3 February 1944, Eagles was promoted to Able Seaman aboard Deveron.

Eagles continued to serve aboard the Deveron, which transferred to the shore establishment H.M.S. Lanka in Ceylon on 1 October 1944. He was based directly in Lanka from 3 July-20 September 1945 before being deployed aboard the H.M.S. Sussex.

Serving aboard Sussex until 9 May 1946 he boarded just a fortnight after the surrender of the Japanese Army aboard the Sussex. Photographs from the surrender are included within this lot, documenting one of the pivotal moments in the Pacific Campaign. These images provide a glimpse into the tension present when the commander of the Japanese Army in Singapore, General Itagaki, solemnly boards the defiant Sussex. There are images of severe damage caused by kamikaze attacks on the Sussex prior to Japanese surrender, making the boarding all the more poignant.

Eagles was transferred to Victory for demobilisation in May 1946. Released in Class 'A' on 22 July 1946, records indicate that he returned to Staffordshire, marrying Winifred Cooney in January 1952 in Stoke-on-Trent. On 7 May 2015, Eagles died following a short illness, and was interred at Hartshill Cemetery.



Sold together with an original archive including;

i)
Army bag signed G. R. E.

ii)
Service records.

iii)
Collection of 41 photographs of his service during the Second World War.

iv)
Newspaper clippings regarding H.M.S. Sussex.

v)
Copied research on paper and CD.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£200 to £240

Starting price
£160