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Donald Goulding Evans
44954, Private, 1/5th Northumberland Fusiliers (Territorial Force)
Died of wounds, 29 October 1917, aged 23
Buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium
CWGC registered (Mr TL Evans, “Fiskerton”, Church Walks, Llandudno)
Donald Goulding Evans was born in Llandudno on 19 November 1893. He was the son of (Thomas) Lincoln Evans, a house painter, and his wife Sarah Evans (née Goulding). Sarah Evans was born in Fiskerton near Lincoln and according to the Census of 1901, the family lived at “Fiskerton”, Deganwy Street (now Avenue), Llandudno. Donald attended St. George’s National School, transferring to Lloyd Street School in September 1906. He left school three years later. By 1911, the family had moved to “Fiskerton”, Church Walks – Donald (17) being described as an apprentice house painter and decorator. Lincoln Evans became a councillor on the Llandudno Urban District Council.
On 22 November 1915, Donald Goulding Evans and David Hobson (qv) volunteered at Bangor to join the 3/1st (Welsh) Divisional Cyclist Company, Territorial Force. The 1st (Welsh) Divisional Cyclist Company formed in May-June 1915 and was attached to the 53rd (1st Welsh) Division, Territorial Force. A second-line company was then formed, the 2/1st becoming attached to the 68th (2nd Welsh) Division. Donald and David joined the third-line company, the 3/1st at Stockport on 24 November 1915 and were given the regimental numbers 488 and 489 respectively. If Donald and David expected to restrict their war to home service or as cycle troops, then their expectations were shattered as they were transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers on 23 November 1916. They embarked for France on 11 December 1916 and arrived at 31 Infantry Base Depot at Étaples on 13 December 1916. Donald was given a new regimental number of 44954 (David’s being 44976). They joined the 19th Battalion on 15 December 1916. Another soldier from Llandudno who joined the battalion at around this time was Robert Roberts (qv), 45017. At some time or times, Donald Evans and Robert Roberts were posted to the 1/5th Battalion, NF, Territorial Force.
On 26 October 1917, the 1/5th NF took part in a disastrous diversionary attack during the Second Battle of Passchendaele. Robert Roberts was killed in action on that day and Donald Evans was wounded. Donald Goulding Evans died of his wounds on 29 October 1917, aged 23, at 47 Casualty Clearing Station and was buried at the nearby Dozinghem Military Cemetery.
Known memorials:
- Llandudno Roll of Honour
- Llandudno War Memorial
- Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
- Family Plot, St. Tudno’s Churchyard
After further research into Donald’s history I have found that I share the same birthday.
He was born on Sunday 19th November 1893, 70 years before me.
Therefore this coming Saturday (19th November 2016) it will be 100 years since Donald celebrated his last birthday before embarking for France with the Northumberland Fusiliers.
I will be raising a glass in his memory.
Thank you Adrian. Though I have completed the biographies, apart from eight that are elusive, I am slowly going through them again. Donald went to Lloyd Street National School which is now closed, the building becoming the Conwy County Archive which, coincidentally, has put the school registers on line at Find My Past. These include dates of birth as you may have discovered. Donald is in the queue for updating.
Yes, it’s finally getting to see the school registers on FMP that I found Donald’s date of birth.
Although I was a little confused for time because the first one I saw had his father’s name as John, not Thomas.
I love this site, thank you for keeping Donald’s memory alive.
Thank you for your comment Adrian. Your cousin will be remembered at Holy Trinity Church at 9.45 am and at the Cenotaph at 11 am tomorrow.
This was my 1st cousin 2x removed, the only member of my family that I have found that died during the Great War.
Remembered every year on 11/11 at 11am.