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Evans, Thomas

Thomas was born in 1886 and baptised in Hope Parish Church on 30th June 1886, son of John and Elizabeth Evans (timber merchant) of Bridge-End.

In 1891 they were still living at Bridge End, Hope.  John Evans was 39, a timber and coal merchant, Elizabeth was 29, Alice M. was 7, Thomas was 4 and Lily was 2.

In 1895 John Evans is listed in the Slater’s Directory of North & Mid Wales, 1895 as Coal & Timber Merchant, Bridgend, Hope.

By 1901 the family have moved to Sarn House, Hope.  John Evans was 48, a timber merchant, Elizabeth was 39, Maud was 17, Thomas was 14, Lily was 12, Frank was 8 and Mary Hildegard 3.

In 1911, the only address given is Hope Village.  John Evans was 57, timber and coal merchant, Elizabeth was 48, Thomas was 24, a student, Maud was 27, a teacher, Lily was 22, Frank was 18, Hilda was13 and Connie was 8.  The census also tells us that John and Elizabeth had been married for 28 years and Elizabeth had had 8 children, 6 of whom were still alive.

Thomas’s Military records are missing, but we do know that he enlisted in West Lavington, Wiltshire, joining the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.  He died of wounds received in the Western European Theatre on 5th September 1917.  He received a Military Medal, and there is an entry in the London Gazette dated 19th November 1917, under Military Medal Winners:

2851 Pte T. Evans, W. Gds. (Hope)

His brother Frank was reported missing early in 1918, but his parents later received the news that he was being held as a Prisoner of War.  It was reported in the County Herald, 4th January 1918:

The deepest sympathy is extended to Mr and Mrs John Evans and family (timber merchants) as they have been informed by the War Office that their second son, Pte Frank Evans is missing.  Before enlisting he was engaged in the timber trade with his father.  He is a young man of good physique, gentle and much esteemed in the locality.  It is only a few weeks since the family received the sad news that their eldest son, Tom, had fallen in battle and the deepest sympathy is extended to Mr and Mrs Evans and family”.

Three weeks later, on 25th January, it was reported in the same newspaper:

” Mr and Mrs John Evans (timber merchants) have received a welcome letter from their son Pte Frank Evans, stating that he is unwounded, but a prisoner of war in Germany.  Recently Pte Evans was reported missing and the good news comes as a great relief to the parents, who had lately lost their eldest son, Tom, on the battlefield.”

He is also listed on the Caergwrle War Memorial

 


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