Name
Albert Evans
1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/07/1917
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
269490
King's (Liverpool Regiment)
2nd/7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
I. B. 41.
France
Headstone Inscription
INTO THY HANDS.
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Albert was officially recorded as born in Manchester and living in Salford when he enlisted there. At first his link to Hitchin, where he appears on the memorial was unclear. His was first found in the contemporary Lawson Thompson Scrapbooks, held in Hitchin Museum, in which he was recorded as in the 7th Battalion of the Liverpool Regiment.
He was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Evans and was born around 1883 in Salford (possibly Broughton nearby), Manchester, Lancs. and baptised 1 April 1883 when the family were living at 37 Bank Street, Cheetham, Manchester.
In 1891 the family were living at 45 Scholes Street, Broughton, near Salford, Lancs. Present were both parents: Daniel (39) and Elizabeth (40), with Daniel and working as a carriage maker. Their children were: Robert Bent (12), Percy (9) and Albert (8).
By 1901 the family were living at 18 St Marks Lane, Manchester. Present were both parents, with Daniel working as a coach and carriage builder. All the children listed above were present, with Albert, now 17. an insurance clerk. A new sibling, Mary Elizabeth (7) was present.
They were at the same address in 1911, Daniel was still working as a carriage maker and Alberts as a warehouse man at Willcocks & Sons.
By 1911 the family were living at 18 St Marks Lane Cheetham Hill Manchester. Present were both parents, x now working as a. The census recorded they had been married for 34 years with 7 of whom 3 had died. All the children listed above were present, plus a niece Edith Williams (19).
Albert married Maud (b 20/5/1886) (née Hayes) on 6 March 1915 at St Mark’s Church, Cheetham Hill Manchester. Their parents were recorded as Daniel Evans and John Joseph Hayes deceased.
Albert’s father died in 1917.
Wartime Service
He died, by accidental drowning while on active service service, on the 17th July 1917 and was buried in Plot 1, Row B, Grave 41 in the Merville Communal Cemetery Extension approximately six miles north of Bethune in France.
The drowning does seem odd, because the day before they were in the front line under heavy barrage with 2 ORs killed, 2 more missing and 26 wounded plus 2 Officers wounded and 2 more slightly wounded, and beat off an enemy raid. They remained in the trenches until the 19th at 9pm when relief was complete. However, Pte Evans death is recorded in the diary entry of the 18th – he could have died the day before – is records: “Pte. Evans (in Hospl. At 54 CCS) drowned”.- Casualty Clearing Station. Presumably he had been evacuated there wounded or ill and somehow drowned.
Additional Information
His widow ordered his headstone inscription when living at 506 Great Cheetham St., Higher Broughton, Manchester, it reads: “Into Thy Hands”.
After his death £2 14s 8d was authorised to go to his widow on 23 October 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to her, on 18 October 1919.
His pension cards record Maud Evans, his widow, as his next of kin, originally living at 45 Scholas Street, Broughton, later changed to 111 Whinbush Road, Hitchin. It also lists a child, John, born 17 January 1916. She was awarded a grant of £5 on 6 August 1917 and a pension of 18s 9d a week from 28 January 1918. However, there is a note stating: “Widow not eligible for alternative pension 22.5.19.”
Another address for his widow was 16 Western Road, Wood Green, however the date for this is uncertain.
So it would appear that his widow moved to Hitchin after his death and had his names commemorated here and Albert had no direct other direct connection.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
