William’s first appearance on a census was in 1901. He was  living with his mother Eliza E Foulkes (formerly Evans) and stepfather Thomas H. Foulkes and his 2 siblings at 30, Phoenix Street, Sandycroft.  Thomas H Foulkes 32, was  a Ship Carpenter (Shipw.) born Llandrillayn Rhos, Denbighshire. William’s mother Eliza E was 31 and had been born in Rhyl, Flintshire.  Her children were Thomas H. Evans  7, born Flintshire, George H. Evans, 5, born Birkenhead, Cheshire and  William E. Evans was 4 and had been born in Flintshire.

Eliza Ellen Evans and Thomas Hugh Foulkes were married in a Civil Ceremony in Chester in 1900. ( Cheshire West   ROC/41/4 or Chester Vol 8a Page 842)

Unfortunately, I cannot find them on the 1911 census.

There is an index card for William Evans in The Flintshire Roll of Honour (Connah’s Quay F16) in The County Record Office in Hawarden. It gives the Regimental No. as 2854 but confirms Regiment details above and gives the address 2 Mold Road, Connah’s Quay. It also tells us that he served for 1 year and 9 months.  It was not signed by a member of the family.

UK soldiers who died in the Great War 1914 -19, accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental information above and adds that he enlisted in Shotton.

William Edward’s medal card also accessible on ancestry, records his medal details and also tells us that his first theatre of war was the Balkans and that he entered it on 8th August 1915.

William Edward Evans in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tell us that his mother was the sole Legatee, Mrs. Eliza E. Foulkes,and she was paid £2.6s 5d on the 8th December 197 (Distribution) and then 15/6d paid on the 6th March 1918 “At written request of Br. George” (I believe) and another 15/6d paid on the 5th February 1919 “Request of Thomas”. Then on the 22nd January 1920 William Edward’s War Gratuity of £8. 10s 0d.

William was mentioned in the book “Soldiers Died in the Great War   Royal Welsh Fusiliers   Volume 28”, where his Regimental No was given as 24078 .

Evans, William E.,named on the Memorial Plaque in St.Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay.

In the County Herald dated 27th April 1917 a List of Casualties was published and William was among the men who were named as having Died of Wounds –  Royal Welsh Fusiliers – Evans – 2954 W.E. (Connah’s Quay)

Any more information would be gratefully received.