Robert Eagle was born in Ufford, Suffolk, on 2nd September 1881. He married Mabel Rose Woods in 1903. In 1911, the couple were living in Bredfield with their four children while Robert worked as a farm labourer. On 12th November 1913, he enlisted in the Territorial Army and joined the 1st East Anglian Field Ambulance (Territorial Force). By this time, Robert had also started work at St Audry’s Hospital as a labourer and the family had moved to Castle Street in Woodbridge.

At the outbreak of war, Robert was “called to the colours” and mobilised on 5th August 1914. He joined the 1st East Anglian Field Ambulance at their headquarters on Woodbridge Road, Ipswich. From here, the field ambulance undertook further training to ready themselves for serving overseas – Robert was not to be with them because on 15th January 1915, he was discharged as, “no longer physically fit for war service”. He returned to his work at St Audry’s.

In 1939, Robert and Mabel were living in New Street, Woodbridge, with Robert’s occupation shown as a heavy worker. He died in Woodbridge in 1959.