2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment
Albert Evans was the son of Henry James Evans (1864-1932?), a carpenter and joiner and his wife Maria Ann (née Cleveland: 1865-1908). The couple had married in 1864 and lived at St Mark’s Street in Gloucester. The 1901 census shows four children, Henry (born 1890); Albert (born 13 November 1891); Edwin (born 1894) and Fanny Maud (born 1897).
By the time of the 1911 Census only Edwin was living with his now widower father and Albert was living with his aunt and uncle at Uphill Court, Churchdown and was a farm labourer.
In early 1912 Albert married Gertrude May Thorpe (born 1891) and the couple went on to live at 58 New Street, Gloucester. They had two children, Albert Henry William (born 20 October 1912) and Ivy Frances (born 27 November 1914).
Details of Albert’s military service are scant, as no Army Service Record has survived. His Medal Index Card confirms service with the Worcestershire Regiment and the fact that he went to the Western Front on 19 July 1915. The actual Medal Roll shows him to have served principally with the 3rd Battalion, also the 2/8th and the 2nd Battalions. His record in Soldiers Died in the Great War indicates that he enlisted in Gloucester and at the time of death was serving with the 2nd Battalion. With either the 2nd or 3rd Battalions he would have experienced fighting during the Somme Offensive in 1916 and most probably through to the latter part of 1918. The transfer between units may indicate wounding or sickness during this time, with a return to duty with a different unit.
The Register of Soldiers’ Effects held at the National Army Museum records his death (on 2 October 1918, age 27) at the 3rd Western General Hospital, Cardiff. A recently released Pension Record Card indicates his widow received a pension from 7 April 1919 onwards. She re-married, to Frank Phelps, on 4 November 1919 and lived until 1968.
Private Albert Evans was buried in Gloucester Old Cemetery, in the plot designated for casualties of the Great War and a standard CWGC headstone now marks his grave.
Researched by Graham Adams 25 November 2019