Paul Evans
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Paul was the son of William Henry and Sarah Agnes Evans (née Mullin). His father William Henry was born in Dudley, Staffordshire in about 1861 and his mother Sarah Agnes Mullin was born in West Bromwich, also in about 1861. They were married at Tipton St Paul on 18 March 1883 (reg. Dudley Staffs) and had 14 children of whom only five survived infancy or childhood: William Henry b. 1884 West Bromwich, and Timothy, Paul b. 1895 (A/M/J), Emma Elizabeth and Winifred who were born in Old Radford. Another son, also named Paul, was born in West Bromwich in about 1888 and died in 1893 (reg. Nottingham) and a daughter, Amanda was born in Old Radford in 1890 and died in 1892. There is also the registration of the birth of a Mary Theresa Evans in 1903 (J/F/M), mother's maiden name Mullin, who died the same year. In 1891 William, a coal miner, and Sarah were living in Tuns Yard, Ilkeston Road, Radford, with their three children William (7), Paul (3) and Amanda (under 1 year). Amanda died the following year and Paul in 1893. William and Sarah and their children William a coal miner ganger, Timothy (9), Paul (6) and Emma (4) were recorded at 17 Tuns Yard in 1901. William jnr. married Florence Emma Lee in 1906 and they lived in Timms Yard, Old Radford. Florence died in 1909 aged about 24. By 1911 William jnr was again living with his parents at 17 Tuns Yard. His father was a candle seller but had added the information 'crippled miner' on the census return. Also in the household on the night of the census were Sarah, Timothy a coal miner, Paul a general labourer, Emma who was working in a woollen mill and Winifred (9). When Paul attested in 1914 he gave his parents' address as 4 Jones Yard, Prince Street, Ilkeston, Derby. However, in 1917 when the army arranged for his personal property to be returned to his mother, Sarah was living at 3 Redoubt Street, Ilkeston Road, Radford. William snr. may have died in 1920 and Sarah in 1935. All three brothers served in the war. William Henry served in the 6th Bn Connaught Rangers (3178 Private) and was killed in 1916. Timothy also served in the Sherwood Foresters (265493 Private) from 1914 to 10 February 1919. There is a record that he applied for a disability pension. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled Timothy, described as a 'miner disabled through war service', his wife Mary Ann (m. 1914) and their daughter were living in Nottingham. Timothy died on 14 March 1942. Their sister Emma married Leonard Frederick Butler in 1917. Leonard, who was born in Nottingham, lived in Nottingham until he joined the Royal Navy (K/10098, stoker) in 1911 (discharged 1926). They later lived in Gosport, Hampshire.
Paul Evans enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters on 27 August 1914 on a short service engagement (3 years). He was 19 years 162 days old, 5 feet 6 inches in height. He was posted to the depot in Derby and then to 3rd Reserve battalion on 3 September. On 31 October he was posted to 13th battalion but returned to the 3rd battalion on 5 December. On 11 December 1914 he was posted to the BEF and the Regiment's 1st battalion. A month later on 6 January 1915 he was treated in hospital in England for frostbite then posted to the Depot with the 3rd Reserve battalion on 3 May. Paul rejoined the 1st battalion in France on 3 August 1915 but posted to the 2nd battalion on 11 August 1915. However, on 28 September he was treated at No. 18 Field Ambulance for haemoptisis (coughing of blood originating from the respiratory tract below the level of the larynx) and was then transferred on 2 October to 20th General Hospital. On 14 November he was transferred to England for treatment (Hospital Ship Newhaven). On 7th March 1916 he was posted to the 3rd Reserve battalion before returning to the 1st Battalion in France on 28 March 1916. On 10 July 1916 he was treated at the 64th Field Ambulance with a shell wound to a finger on his right hand. The following year the battalion attacked the ridge immediately south of St Pierre Vaast Wood on 4 March 1917 The British barrage began at 5.55 am and within few minutes the enemy had also opened up. This caught men in the trenches just as they moved out, causing a number of casualties. The battalion reached the first German line just as they came out of their dugouts. The assaulting troops carried on to Pallas Support trench, leaving the moppers-up to clean up Pallas trench (enemy front). Much hand to hand fighting took place. 'C' and 'D' companies were engaged in mopping-up, whilst 'A' and 'B' carried ammunition and supplies from the British front to the German front and support lines (Pallas). The stretcher bearers also worked tirelessly and many became casualties themselves as they took the wounded in. Paul was one of 47 men killed in this successful attack. Initially reported missing in action his death was accepted as 4 March. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France (Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A), Service: Home 27 August 1914-10 December 1914 (106 days), BEF France 11 December 1914-5 January 1915 (26d); Home 6 January 1915-2 August 1915 (209d); BEF France 3 August 1915-13 November 1915 (103 days); Home 14 November 1915-27 March 1916 (134d); BEF France, 28 March 1916-4 March 1917 (342d). Total 2 years 190 days Paul qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. John Morse
CWGC: 'Son of Mrs. Sarah Evans, of 3, Redoubt St., Nottingham.' Paul's brother William Henry served in the 6th Bn Connaught Rangers (3178 Private) and was killed in action on 7 June 1916; Loos Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour) 'In memoriam' notice published 4 March 1918, Nottingham Evening Post:- “EVANS. – In loving memory of my dear son and brother, Pte. Paul Evans, killed in action March 4th, 1917, second son to fall. A noble life laid down; duty nobly done. – From loving mother and father, sister Emma and Winnie, wife Nance [? Mary Ann Evans, wife of Timothy], Tim (in France), Len [Leonard Frederick Butler, husband of Emma] (at sea).” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Sarah was his sole legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers: named his mother Sarah, residence Nottngham Paul's brother Timothy served in the Sherwood Foresters from 1914-1919 and was disabled as a result of his war service (see 'Family history'). He died in 1942. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 16 March 1942. ‘Evans. March 14th Timothy, late Sherwood Foresters 1914-1919, the beloved husband of Mary Ann, and loving father of Doreen, age 51. Reunited with my dear mother, both sadly missed. Funeral Bulwell, Wednesday, 2.30pm.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 16 March 1942. ‘Evans. March 14th. Tim, dear brother of Winnie and Emma. At rest.’ (www.britishnewspaperachive.co.uk)
