The Hampshire Family Historian | Volume 50 No.2 | Sept 2023

Member’s article

The Eagles Family and Liss Forest

I am sure that many people have asked themselves, what if so and so hadn't happened? Well, in my case, if the Germans hadn't bombed parts of Portsmouth so intensely in 1941, I might not have been born. My story therefore starts in the January of that year, when the EAGLES family of four escaped from the Portsmouth blitz to set up home in Gunville Cottage, 63, Newfield Road, Liss Forest. They were William EAGLES (my Grandfather), his wife, Alice Maud EAGLES, and their two daughters, Doris Louisa (my Aunt) and Vera Maud. (My Mother to be). I don't know any details of the move, or the financial implications, but two further daughters, Violet and Gladys, stayed in Portsmouth with their respective husbands, one who had signed up to serve in the Volunteer Fire Service and the other who was an ARP Warden. We shall catch up with Gladys later. I will now look at each individual in turn. William EAGLES, born 1874. In 1941, he was aged 57 and listed in the 1939 Census as a retired Naval Stoker and he would have been receiving a small Naval pension. His Royal Naval service was from June 1898 until July 1920 and during that period he served on some sixteen ships including HMS Fearless at the Battles of Heligoland Blight and Jutland during World War One. His last ship was the HMS Caroline , which is now a museum ship in Belfast Docks. As a Naval Officer he enjoyed an occasional tot of Rum.

During his time in the Liss area he may have obtained some casual employment to Gunville Cottage in Newfield Road, Liss Forest. Date unknown but possible in the 1940's.

supplement the family’s income. Alice Maud EAGLES, born 1881.

Presumably, Alice kept the home neat and tidy, as I do not know what else she would have done during this time, having been a housewife all her life. Doris Louisa EAGLES, born 1914. Doris was listed as a domestic assistant in the 1939 Census, so presumably continued in a similar role in the Liss area. She eventually met a Londoner, George Philip FRANCIS , who I suppose may also have evacuated to the area, and they were married at the St. John the Baptist Church in Greatham Village on 23rd August 1947. The reception was held in the St. Saviours Church Hall, Forest Road. How they came to meet I do not know, and Doris is employed as a shop assistant according to the Marriage Certificate. Maybe a local remembers her!

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