Martin James EAGER

EAGER, Martin James

Service Number: 3353
Enlisted: 7 February 1916, Rockhampton, Queensland
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 42nd Infantry Battalion
Born: Mount Morgan, Queensland, 20 May 1897
Home Town: Mount Morgan, Rockhampton, Queensland
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Stockman
Died: Killed in Action, Belgium, 4 October 1917, aged 20 years
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"
No known grave, Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Brisbane 42nd Infantry Battalion AIF Roll of Honour, Menin Gate Memorial (Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing of the Ypres Salient)
Show Relationships

World War 1 Service

7 Feb 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3353, Rockhampton, Queensland
4 May 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3353, 31st Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Seang Choon embarkation_ship_number: A49 public_note: ''
4 May 1916: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3353, 31st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Seang Choon, Brisbane
4 Oct 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3353, 42nd Infantry Battalion, Broodseinde Ridge, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3353 awm_unit: 42nd Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1917-10-04

Help us honour Martin James Eager's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by John Edwards

"PRIVATE M. J. EAGER.

Mrs. F. M. McKenna, Calliope, has received the following letter with reference to the death of her son. Private M. J. Eager:— "Your son, Private M. J. Eager, entered the offensive at Ypres on the 4th of October, and, during successful work, I regret to say, he made the supreme sacrifice. He was in every way a credit to his company, and enjoyed the confidence of officers and men alike both in action and on parade. You will be relieved to learn that his end came suddenly and that he was spared much pain. He was buried near Zonnebeek, and I hope that in future you may be able to obtain more definite location.''

Another letter received by Mrs. McKenna says:— "Your son, Private M. J. Eager, took part in the big attack at Hill 40, Ypres. He went into it, well prepared, as he was at his duty the day before. He was one of those who gave their lives that day for the cause so dear to us all. I have said mass for him, and will continue to do so until the war is over." - from the Rockhampton Capricornian 23 Feb 1918 (nla.gov.au)

Read more...

Biography contributed by Jacqueline Egar

Martin Eagar was the son of my grand uncle Robert Eagar who originally came from Killorglin Co Kerry Ireland. His mother Frances Butler Eagar came from Co Tipperary. Robert was a brother of my grandfather Richard Eagar. - Jaqueline Egar