Ernest Evley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Ernest Elvey was the son of Thomas Arthur and Eunice Evely (née Newbold). His father Thomas Arthur was born in Hyson Green, Nottingham, in about 1872. His mother Eunice was born in Derby on 28 November 1871, the daughter of Edwin and Emma Newbold. Thomas and Eunice were married at Nottingham in 1896 and had six children, two of whom died in infancy. All the children were born in Radford, Nottingham: Ernest b. 1897, Louis b. 1899 d. 1899, Thomas Arthur birth registered 1901 (J/F/M) d. 1901; Tom b. 1903, Wiliam b. 1905 and Eunice b. 1911. The family lived at 14 Bastion Street, Radford, in 1901: Thomas (28) a butcher (own account), Eunice (29) and their two sons Ernest (3) and Thomas (under 1 year) who died later that year. By 1911 Thomas and Eunice, a plain net mender, were living at 302 Denman Street, Radford, with their three surviving sons, Ernest, a butcher's errand boy presumably working for his father, Tom (8) and William (6). Also in the household was Eunice's widowed father, Edwin Newbold, a boot repairer. The only daughter, Eunice was born in May of that year. Thomas Arthur died at 294 Denman Street, Radford, on 13 February1939. The Register of England Wales was compiled later that year; his widow Eunice was still living at the same address and was carrying on the business as a butcher's shopkeeper (own account). Also in the home was her married daughter Eunice and her husband William H Potter. Eunice snr. died in in Nottingham, aged 80, in 1952.
Evley enlisted at Nottingham. He served initially in the 2/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters and later the 10th Bn. There is an Infantry Record Office (Litchfield) document listing hospital admissions, BEF France. The names included: 69026 Pte Evely E. 2/5 Bn N&DR admitted 3 Con. Dep. Le Treport, 3 January 1918, ICT heel (R) and Knee (L). 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters War Diary 13 October 1918 records: 'Enemy very active, machine guns and snipers firing from windows and high buildings in village of Neuilly causing numerous casualties'. (TNA WO95/2008/2) It is assumed that Ernest Evelyn was killed by this intense fire. (David Nunn) Ernest is buried at Montay-Neuvilly Road Cemetery, Montay, Nord, France (grave reference: II A 8). CWGC - History of Montay-Neuvilly Road Cemetery (extract): 'This cemetery was made by the 23rd Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery, on 26 and 27 October 1918. It contained originally 111 graves, mainly of officers and men of the 38th (Welsh) and 33rd Divisions, and the 6th Dorsets, but after the Armistice it was increased when graves were brought in from the battlefields west, north and east of Montay, and from certain small cemeteries, including [listed].' 497 casualties (www.cwgc.org)
WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: named his mother, Eunice Evley. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 13 October 1919: ‘Evley. In ever-loving memory of Pte Ernest Evley, killed in action October 13th, 1918. Never forgotten. Mrs Haybal.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 15 October 1919: ’Evley. In loving memory of Ernest, killed in action October 13th, 1918, nephew of Mr and Mrs Spray. Sadly missed by aunt, uncle, and cousins.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) - Mary Jane Spray née Newbold, sister of Eunice and wife of Arthur Spray Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 14 February 1939. ‘Evley. February 13th, Thomas Arthur, at 294 Denman-street. Funeral arrangements later. Sorrowing wife and family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
