No.67989. Gunner, John Reginald EVANS
Aged 20
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John Reginald EVANS was born in Hadnall, Shrewsbury [Ellesmere Q1-1896 6A:659], son of Rev. Shadrack and Elizabeth EVANS(née RICHARDS). Usually known as "Reggie". His father was much travelled with the family, being a preacher in 16 circuits before moving from Great Yarmouth to Haverhill in 1918, and moving on to Canterbury in 1923. Given that his father never arrived in Haverhill until 1918, it seems most likely that John had never lived in Haverhill. 1901 census...Aged 5, he was at Penn Street, Oakham, Rutland with his father Shadrack EVANS [39] Primitive Methodist preacher born Coed Poeth, Denbigh; his mother Elizabeth [37] born Chacewater, Cornwall; brothers Evan W [11] born Monmouth, Shadrack C [10] born Monmouth, Joseph E [6] born Hadnall, Harold [2] born Oakham; sister Ruth A [8] born Dalton in Furness, Lancashire. 1911 census...Aged 15, he was at 3 Victoria Terrace, Wincheap Street, Canterbury with his parents; brothers Evan William (draper's assistant) , Shadrack C (outfitter's assistant), Joseph Ernest (clerk) and Harold; sister Ruth Adeline. The pension card has his mother at 6 Broad Street, Haverhill, and when she died, details changed to father, Shadrack, at 64 Adams Avenue, Northampton. |
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He enlisted in Canterbury. The 101st Siege Battery arrived in France on 20th May 1916. It is difficult to pin down the whereabouts of artillery units and without John's service record even more difficult. Apparently he was wounded on the 2nd July CWGC records show that two of his comrades from 101st were killed on 2nd and buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery, quite possibly manning the same gun. The Primitive Methodist Leader reports on 29th July 1916:- "John Reginald Evans - Many will regret to hear of the death of John Reginald, son of Rev.and Mrs S Evans, of Redhill. He was with the R.G.A. at the front, was wounded by a bursting of a shell. and succumbed to his injuries the following day.He was a bright lad, and would have been twenty-one years if he had lived till November next. He appears to have given every satisfaction to his officers, for since his going to France he had been promoted to A/Bs (Acting Bombardier ?) and was chief dispatch rider for the battery. |
photo: www.longlongtrail.co.uk
A siege battery preparing for action
photo: Rodney Gibson
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details