William Evans
Lance Corporal 19343 - 16th Battalion
Royal Welsh Regiment of Fusiliers
Enlisted: Mansfield 26th Dec 1914
Killed in Action Flanders 11th July 1916 : Aged 30
Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 4 A.
Lance Corporal 19343 William Evans was born 1886 in Huthwaite. Parents 1881 Q2 marriage between Coal Miner Hewer Mr Thomas George Evans from Pelsall, Staffs and Miss Sarah Ann Clarke from Hucknall Huthwaite, extends both family ties adding their own Huthwaite children initially homed in Wrights Yard. Their move into New Street is headed 1901 by Mr Thomas G Evans 45. Mrs Sarah Ann Evans 42, had mothered George Wilfred 1882, Norman Charles Henry 1884, William 1886, Arthur 1888, Mary Emma 1889, Charles 1892, Percy John 1896 and Lucy 1898, although relations home some in census years.
Mr William Evans was a 15 year old Grocers Assistant when listed 1901 at grandmothers. Mrs Mary Clarke lived in Sampson Yard, when shared by and next held by his married aunt Mrs Lucy Drabble. Parents had moved into New Fall Street, eventually retiring to 40 Sutton Road. Willie however remained under earlier fostered guardianship of his aunt, when 1911 similarly adds Charlie and Lucy as nephews and niece living and likely furthermore raised in Sampsons Yard headed by Mr Arthur Drabble.
Pte William Evans readily enlisted for military service at Mansfield 25th December 1914, despite reported accounts showing his rise from grocers assistant to Co-operative stores Huthwaite branch manager located on Main Street cornering Sherwood Street. Joining the 16th Royal Welsh Fusiliers landed him in France from November 1915. Front line action rewarded striped promotion, ultimately recognising Lance Corporal 19343 W Evans being killed in action officially dated 11th July 1916, aged 30.
This soldier left personal effects and war gratuity to his aunt, confirming Mrs Lucy Drabble had been long term foster mother. His younger brother Charlie seems to have been likewise adopted, until that married soldier added C Evans in Roll of Honour.
Official information has been received at Huthwaite of the death in action of Lance-Corporal Wm. Evans, the third son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Evans of Huthwaite. He was 30 years of age and unmarried. He enlisted in the 16th. Battalion of the R.W.F. on December 26th, 1914, and went out to France in November of last year. He got his stripe while at the front, and was killed on July 10th.
For several years he had been manager of the Huthwaite branch of the Stanton Hill Co-operative Society, and was greatly respected. Previously he held a similar position at the Skegby branch. Always unfailingly courteous in manner and gentlemanly in bearing, these characteristics were reflected in all his actions, and with his quiet, unassuming disposition, gained him many friends. His firm had great confidence in him, and among the young men of the district there were few more regular churchgoers, and his untimely end is a loss to the community in more ways than one. Two of his brothers are serving in the army.