MAJOR FRANCIS W EARLE

Francis William and Marie Blanche Earle (Residents 1923-1927 at Pipers Field and 1942-1950 at Westfield)

Piper's Field was bought in 1923/24 by Francis William Earle and his wife Marie Blanche (nee Lyne-Stivens).

Francis William Earle was born 1881 in Hampstead, London. In 1911 he was a Captain in the 2nd Hampshire Regiment. He married Marie Blanche Lyne-Stivens in 1912 in Westminster, London.

In 1917, as a major in the Hampshire Regiment he was awarded the DSO. The notice in the London Gazette stated that it was for “conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty”. He later transferred to East Lancaster Regiment.

The Earle’s had six children, the eldest George Hughes, being born at Piper’s Field. The Earle’s left Piper's Field in 1927 but moved back to Chilbolton Avenue in the 1940’s, living at Westfield, which was then next door to Piper's Field.

The house was sold in 1950.

Marie Blanche died in 1967, in Winchester. Francis William died in 1970. They are both buried at Morestead Church, near Winchester. The inscription reads:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

MARIE BLANCHE EARLE.

DIED 1ST APRIL 1967.

AGED 78 YEARS.

AND

FRANCIS WILLIAM EARLE.

DIED 22ND AUGUST 1970.

AGED 89 YEARS.

Major Francis W Earle: About

Morestead Church isn't easy to find. It is hidden behind a tall hedge and there are no parking spaces near-by. There is a gate leading from the church yard onto the road. The gates contain a plaque stating that they were given by Francis William Earle.

Morestaed Church is unusual in that it has no known dedication.

Also in the church yard is a bench dedicated to Gabby Earle 31-12-1916 - 15-9-1997. Gabby appears to refer to the wife of William Herbert Earle, the first child to Francis and Marie. His wife's name was Marsina Abedel'al, (or Marsinah G Abdel-al). Masina was born in London, and married William Herbert in in 1943 in Jerusalem while she was a resident in Nazareth and he was a resident in Heliopolis, Egypt, both as school teachers. On voyages from Egypt to England in 1945 and 1950, they gave their address as Westfield, Chilbolton Avenue.

In the church is a World War II memorial, that includes the name of Thomas Jeffrey Earle, R.N.V.R. Thomas Jeffrey was the fourth child of Francis and Marie. He was a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve.

MAJOR FRANCIS W EARLE

Morestead Church isn't easy to find. It is hidden behind a tall hedge and there are no parking spaces near-by. There is a gate leading from the church yard onto the road. The gates contain a plaque stating that they were given by Francis William Earle.

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Morestaed Church is unusual in that it has no known dedication.

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In the church is a World War II memorial, that includes the name of Thomas Jeffrey Earle, R.N.V.R. Thomas Jeffrey was the fourth child of Francis and Marie. He was a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve.