by Bill Morter – Spalding Parachute Regimental Association
Ted Eaglen, a veteran of the Normandy invasion in June 1944, has died at the age of 90.
He had been in poor health for some time but continued to show the determination and commitment which had always been his manner.
Ted was born in 1924 and at the age of 16 tried to join the RAF but was turned away. He then attempted to enlist in the Army but as he was under 17 was again sent home. He was finally accepted into the Army in July 1942.
Ted wanted to join the Commandos but was told that he would firstly have to complete basic infantry training and consequently joined the Northamptonshire Regiment.
He completed this training plus a Signallers course in February 1943 and again applied to join the Commandos. While waiting to be called in to appear before his CO he saw a poster seeking recruits for Airborne Forces. He thought that sounded “good” so he applied and was accepted. Following his parachute training at Hardwick Hall and Ringway he was posted to the 8th Battalion Parachute Regiment on July 7, 1943, his 19th birthday.
Ted was trained as a Pathfinder, whose prime responsibility was to mark the dropping zones for the main force, and just after midnight on July 5, 1944 he parachuted into France. There was fierce fighting and the battalion returned to England in August having suffered the loss of more than 150 men.
This return was broken when on Christmas Eve the battalion were sent to the Ardennes to take part in what would become known as The Battle of the Bulge.
During this action he was wounded and taken to hospital in Lille in France. Following his recovery, he returned to England and his battalion, to be greeted with the news that “something was up”.
Within a short period he was again boarding an aircraft to take part in the Rhine Crossing which took place on March 24, 1945. He was again wounded and sent to hospital in Belgium.
On his return to England, Ted was declared unfit for parachute duty but told he could transfer to another infantry regiment. He decided that not being a Para whilst still in the Army was not worthy of consideration and therefore accepted a discharge and left the Army in 1946.
He found the return to civilian life initially difficult but overcame the odds. He was asked by a friend if he would like to play football for Boston United. He had to play in goal as the wound in his left leg meant he was unable to kick a football with both feet. He also played for Spalding United and spent many happy years at both clubs.
Ted also acted as a professional minder to such people as Dusty Springfield and Tom Jones and for many years ensured that people attending the Gliderdrome in Boston were on their best behaviour.
In 1969 he received the Royal Humane Society Testimonial for saving an eight- year-old-boy from drowning after falling into a river. After receiving the award, he commented that “having to go forward to receive it was worse than going into the river”.
He took up golf, becoming captain of Boston Golf Club in 1998 and achieving a hole in one at the age of 78!
He had been a member of the Spalding Parachute Regimental Association for many years and was extremely proud of his involvement with the regiment.
This was further enhanced when he was firstly awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur by the French government for his services in 1944, then made a Freeman of the village of Touffreville in Normandy, plus having a street named after him. This is quite exceptional but reflects the high esteem in which he was held.
Ted was a most considerate and caring individual, always willing to assist whenever called upon.
He will be missed.
