Constable Charles William Eagle, SAC

CONSTABLE CHARLES WILLIAM EAGLE, SAC (1867-1908)

Trooper in the Canadian Mounted Rifles, and afterwards a Constable in the South African Police Force. He was the son of an American Rancher in British Columbia and a Secwepemc woman who probably belonged to the Bonaparte First Nation

Charles William Eagle is the son of Charles Eagle, an American Rancher in British Columbia, and his Secwepemc wife Annie. British Columbia Marriage Registrations His mother is probably Anna Mary Tatqua, who is noticed in his father's household, at the Outward Ranch, in 1881.
Library and Archives Canada: 1881 Census Return for Williams Lake in British Columbia

Regiment of Canadian Mounted Rifles

Charles William Eagle enlisted as a member of the 5th Regiment of Canadian Mounted Rifles on 24 April 1902. He was classified as a good shot. When their ship, the Corinthian, departed from Halifax on 23 May 1902 the war was virtually over, peace was declared a mere seven days later on 31 May 1902. The officers and men of the Canadian Mounted Rifles disembarked in Durban on 22 June 1902 when peace was already declared.

South African Constabulary

Soldiers had done their duty for King and Country. Now policemen were needed for law and order duties. The South African Constabulary, established during 1900 under command of General Baden Powell, were already operating in the two former Boer Republics and Swaziland. The former Boer republics were then known as the Transvaal Colony and Orange River Colony.

A Question of Colour

Charles William Eagle and 28 other Privates of the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles were eager to join the South African Constabulary. At first Eagle was turned down because of his dark colour and his 28 comrades then refused to serve. The recruitment officer reversed his decision and the 29 Canadians happily joined the police The History of the South African Police Force

Colt Repeating Rifle

A medical doctor in South Africa owns this very special rifle, a rifle that most probably belonged to Constable Eagle. The rifle was originally bought on a police sale many years ago and bequeathed to the doctor by a patient. American records show that this particular rifle was given to an Indian in British Columbia, Canada, whose son was going to fight for the Empire in South Africa.

Of a Lion and an Eagle: Death in South Africa

Trooper Charles William Eagle is reported to have been attacked by a lion and to have died of wounds received. He died at Elim Hospital on 10 October 1908 Anglo Boer War.com Charles R. Leach tells the story of a Canadian Indian who came to South Africa with the fifth Canadian Mounted Rifles and died from wounds sustained by an encounter with a lion Of a Lion and Eagle: The Story of Constable Charles William Eagle The story of Constable Charles William Eagle also lends itself to a tour that traces his last journey from Pont Drift via Mapungubwe and the old Transport Road through Linton and ‘Heidelberg’ to Musina and finally to Elim Hospital and his monument in the old Police Cemetery at Fort Edward The Anglo Boer War

Burial

Trooper Charles William Eagle is buried at Fort Edward, where a monument was raised to his memory The Anglo Boer War Museum and The Anglo Boer War Museum

Marriage

Charles William Eagle married Rosa McLean on 24 July 1892.They were married at Kamloops in British Columbia, Canada British Columbia Marriages

Children

Charles William Eagle and his wife Rosa McLean, may have had at least on child:

1. Harriat Eagle