Robert David Evans
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Robert David was the son of Enoch and Fanny Evans (née Pearce). His father Enoch Evans was born in Oswestry, Shropshire, in about 1844 and his mother Fanny Pearce was also born in Oswestry in about 1846. They were married in 1871 (reg. Oswestry) and had eight children who were born between 1872 and 1887: William Pearce b. Oswestry, Mary Elizabeth b. Market Drayton Shropshire, Meriel Fanny b. Chilwell, Sarah Jane b. Chilwell, Robert David b. Chilwell, Anne Maud Eliza b. Nottingham, Kate Alice Louisa b. Nottingham and Enoch John b. Nottingham. Enoch, a domestic gardener, and Fanny had moved to Nottinghamshire by 1876 and in 1881 were living in Sneinton with their six children William (8), Mary (7), Meriel (4), Sarah (3), Robert (1) and Anne (under one year). The family had moved to Hermon Street, Lenton by 1891 and their eight children were in the home on the night of the census: William a porter, Mary a domestic servant, Fanny a lace hand, Sarah Jane a domestic servant, Robert, Annie, Kate (7) and Enoch (3). The eldest daughter Mary married John Astill in 1895 and William married Isabella Williamson Bowles in 1896. Sarah has not yet been traced after 1891, but in 1901 the other five children were still living with their parents at Hermon Street: Meriel a silk net folder, Robert a postman, Annie and Kate who were machinists and Enoch who was a telegraph messenger. Meriel married William Ernest Cox in 1901 (reg. O/N/D), Robert married Clara Emily Rockley in 1902, Annie married Frank Percy Hankin in 1907 and Kate married Charles William Rawlinson in 1908; she died the following year (June 1909). By 1911 Enoch, who was still working as a domestic gardener but described himself as 'disabled' on the census form, was living with his wife and son Enoch, a shop assistant (greengrocer), on Wentworth Terrace, Forest Road, Nottingham. The CWGC record gave Fanny's address as Trafalgar Place, Radford, Nottingham. Enoch snr. probably died in December 1924 and Fanny in 1933. Robert, a town postman, was living at 17 Hartford Street, Pinder's House Yard, Crocus Street, Meadows, Nottingham, in 1911. His wife Clara (31 b. Ilkeston) and daughter Dilys were away from home, visiting Clara's married sister, Thirza Mary Gardiner in Battersea, London. The family later lived at 143 Wilford Crescent East, Meadows. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Clara was living in West Bridgford with her married daughter, Dilys (m. 1939), her husband Sidney Swallow and his son John. Clara died in 1954. Robert's brother William attested on 12 October 1915 and served in the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). He was 40 years old and gave his occupation as professional cook. He was admitted to hospital on 25 January 1916 suffering from varicose veins and discharged in 3 February. He was medically discharged from the army on 27 March 1916 having served for 167 days. Their brother Enoch may have served in the Machine Gun Corps (54627 Private).
1/8th Bn London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) Robert died of wounds or was killed on 23 March 1918. However, his death was not confirmed immediately as there is a record of a 'missing/wounded' enquiry being made to the British Red Cross & Order of St John on 2 August 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France (Panel 87). Notice of the award of the Military Medal was published in the London Gazette on 16 July 1918. CWGC - History of Polzieres Memorial (extract): The memorial 'relates to the period of crisis in March and April 1918 when the Allied Fifth Army was driven back by overwhelming numbers across the former Somme battlefields, and the months that followed before the Advance to Victory, which began on 8 August 1918. The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918. The Corps and Regiments most largely represented are The Rifle Brigade with over 600 names.'
CWGC: 'Son of Mrs. Fanny Evans, of Trafalgar Place, Radford, Notts; husband of Clara Emily Evans, of 143, Wilford Crescent East, Nottingham. A Postman for 24 years.' Probate: Evans Robert David of 143 Wilford-crescent Nottingham private in HM Army died on or since 23 March 1918 in France Administration (with Will) Nottingham 17 June to Clara Emily Evans widow. Effects £138. WW1 Pensions Ledgers Index Cards: named his widow Clara and daughter Dilys. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow Clara was his sole legatee.
