Evans, Joshua (John)

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Joshua EVANS (aka John Evans)

L/9999, Sergeant, 504th Battery, Royal Field Artillery
Killed in action, 29 October 1917, aged 26
Buried at Bleuet Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium

CWGC registered (Husband of E Chambers [formerly Evans], of 28, Crescent Rd, Cheetham Hill, Manchester)

Joshua Evans was the son of Hugh Evans and his wife Anne Evans (née Nash). He was born at Eglwysbach on 25 February 1891. The Census of Wales for that year records his parents and six children: Elizabeth J (11), Mary (10), twins Robert & John (qv) (7), Maggie (5), Hugh (2) and Joshua (1 month). The family lived at “Clwt Farm”, Eglwysbach – Hugh Evans was an agricultural labourer. The family moved to Llandudno for the register for St. George’s National School for November 1896 records Joshua’s address as “Bay View Terrace”, Llandudno. In 1901, the census records the family living at “Hardwick House”, Church Walks, Llandudno – Hugh was a general labourer. Joshua left school in March 1908 to work at the Post Office. He later worked at Pierce Bros grocery in Upper Mostyn Street before moving to Manchester. The 1911 Census recorded him as being a shop assistant, boarding at 32 Bickley Street, Moss Side.

On 15 March 1915, Joshua enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery at Manchester though he now used the name John Evans. This was confusing because his brother John Evans was still alive and was called up the following year. Joshua/John was given the regimental number of L/9999 and almost certainly joined his unit at St. Anne’s on Sea on 16 March.

On 1 June 1915, Joshua (as John) married Edith Durden (b Manchester, 1888) at St. Mark’s Church, Cheetham; he gave his age as 27 though he was in fact 24 – both gave their residence as 28 Crescent Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester. Joshua/John’s father Hugh Evans signed the marriage certificate as a witness and his signature is identical with the signature on his 1911 census return. This confirms that Joshua Evans used the name John.

Little is known of Joshua/John’s service though it is recorded that he disembarked in France on 28 November 1915 with the rank of bombardier. In the spring of 1916, the couple had a son, John W Evans. The local press for 10 November 1916 reported that Private [sic] Joshua Evans was undergoing treatment at a Bristol hospital for wounds received at the front. At a date unknown, John Evans returned to France. Early in 1917, the infant John W Evans died.

Edith Evan’s loss was compounded when her husband, now a sergeant with the 504th Battery, RFA, was killed in action on 28 October 1917 aged 26. He was buried at Bleuet Farm Cemetery near Ypres in Belgium. Bleuet Farm was a dressing station during the 1917 Allied offensive, being in use from June to December 1917.

Joseph’s brother, John Evans had died of wounds on 18 April 1917.

Edith Evans married Albert Chambers in 1921. The couple resided at Edith’s old address of 28 Crescent Road, Cheetham Hill. She died in 1962.

Known memorials:

  • Llandudno Roll of Honour
  • Llandudno War Memorial
  • Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
  • Great Orme’s Head Cemetery, Llandudno

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