Prescot Roll of Honour

© Prescot Reporter (courtesy Ste M)

Service Details

Alfred Thomas Eaves was born in Prescot on 7th March 1896, the son of Alfred and Mary Eaves.

Alfred enlisted on 29th August 1914 in Liverpool. In addition to serving with the 5th Battalion of the King's (Liverpool) Regiment, he also served with 13th, 4th and 2nd/5th Battalions of the Regiment

As his Medal Index Card does not include any details of a 1914 or 1914-1915 Star, it is likely that he first went overseas after January 1916. It is possible, therefore, that he was retained in the UK for training purposes after his initial service with the 13th Battalion, and maybe this included the 4th Battalion, but then went overseas with the 2nd/5th, although this is clearly speculation.

What does seem certain is that he was serving with the 2nd/5th Battalion at the time of his death.

The battalion spent the whole of July 1917 in and out of the trenches east of Armentieres. The sector was described as 'lively', especially as the month progressed, and was under constant bombardment by the Germans. On 27th July, they were relieved from the line and retired to billets in the town. There was no respite here, however, and on the 28th a number of casualties were incurred as a result of shrapnel, with the town being under a heavy artillery attack. The town was also drenched with gas shells and it was stated at the time that it seemed impossible that anything could be left alive in the town.

This then was the situation in which the battalion found itself at tht outset of the Third Battle of Ypres, better known as Passchendaele.

By October, the battalion was in reserve at Proven but on the 14th was amongst the first to entrain for the area of Malakoff Farm. This was a camp of huts and tents and the battalion stayed for just one night before moving the next day to Marsouin Farm.

This place was totally waterlogged and trenches could not be dug. The line consisted mainly of consolidated shell holes. The slippery side of these holes was reinforced by sand bags and an attempt was made to pump water out, but it was usual to have to stand in water a foot deep all day and night. Rations and ammunition were carried to the support lines by mules from where they were carried by ration parties to the front line, although many men and supplies were lost in the unmarked seas of mud.

On the night of the 27th October, the 2nd/5th battalion took over the front line from the 2nd/8th then they themselves were relieved the following night by the 2nd/6th. This rotation of duties continued, with activity in the line consisting of patrolling and shell fire, but the enemy guns were seldom quiet and gas shelling was frequent and heavy.

It seems likely that Serjeant Eaves fell victim to this war of attrition. He is one of 13 men of the battalion who died in the period from 25th to 31st October. His body was never identified and he is remembered on the Tyne Cot memorial to the missing.

The Parish Magazine of 28th November 1917 reported 'Sergeant Alfred Thomas Eaves, 21, of King's Liverpool. Killed in action in France. Had recently gone to live in Knowsley Lane'.

Sergeant Eaves is commemorated on the BICC Memorial

Notices from the Liverpool Echo, 12th and 13th November 1917

Alfred Eaves' Medal Index Card. His medal entitlement was to the British War Medal and Victory Medal

Serjeant Eaves' inscription on the Tyne Cot memorial, listing him with the rank of Corporal. His Medal Index Card, shown above, has the correct rank of Sergeant.

The Register of Soldiers Effects

The Eaves family grave in Prescot Cemetery, including a commemoration of Alfred and the King's (Liverpool) Regiment badge. Picture courtesy of Les Birchall

A Family notice in the Prescot Reporter, 27th October 1939