Christ College Remember Second Lieutenant Frederick William Evans

REMEMBRANCE DISPATCH NO. 20 HAS BEEN POSTED IN HOUSES TO COMMEMORATE SECOND LIEUTENANT FREDERICK WILLIAM EVANS (SCHOOL HOUSE 1908-1910) WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON 28TH OCTOBER 1916.

“Fred” Evans was the son of Fred and Mary Evans of Bryn-y-Mor Crescent, Swansea. He joined School House in September 1908 at the age of 13 and soon became known for his “engaging simplicity and natural happiness of character”. He played for the 2nd XV and 2nd XI, occasionally turning out for the 1st XI. He was also a noted athlete, and gained prizes in middle distance running.

Fred left school at 15 and returned to Swansea where he become an Electrical Apprentice. On 23rd August 1916 he entered France as Second Lieutenant Frederick William Evans, 13th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. He died from wounds just over two months later, having been shot through the right lung not far from Poperinge and surviving just 24 hours.

The Breconian noted that “everything he did was done cheerily and gaily; no doubt he went into battle with such a gallant joyousness. The world is the less bright for his untimely death”. A poem, ‘F.W.E.’, written for the magazine by one of his contemporaries was published with his obituary.

Second Lieutenant Frederick William Evans is buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery and is remembered on the Christ College War Memorial.

Turn the list o’er, and see . . . What was the name you read? Evans, F. W. . . . ’tis he Our little Fred!