Description

1914/15 Star, named 283064 W.H. EVANS. ACT. S.P.O. R.N., British War and Victory Medals, named 283054 W.H. EVANS. S.P.O. R.N., Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (G.V.R.), named 283054 W.H. EVANS. LDG STOKER. H.M.S. CORNWALLIS.

Chief Petty Officer William Henry Evans was born on the 16/1/1873 at Halwell, Devon. A labourer by trade, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Stoker on the 11/8/1896. He served on a variety of H.M ship and shore bases including: Vivid II, Magnificent, Tamar (Hong Kong), Leander & Vulcan (Torpedo boat carrier and a depot ship for torpedo boats Mediterranean Fleet) 28/4/1904 – 18/4/1906, Trafalgar (Drill ship for gun turrets and submerged torpedo tubes) 4/12/06 – 30/6/1907, Blenheim, Saphire. Discharged time expired 13/8/1908, Leading Stoker and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve (Service no B2243).

Rejoined the Royal Navy 27/3/1911 and served on Leander & Cornwallis. During WW1 he served aboard Argonaut 1/8/1914, H.M.S. Doris (Eclipse-class cruisers) 2/8/1914 15/1/1917, 5/8/1914 she captured a German merchantman, she patrolled the Syrian coast until March 1915, carrying out thirteen landing operations and many coastal bombardments before being relieved.

Gallipoli: On 25 /4/1915, Doris participated in a shore bombardment near Bulair along the western coast of the Gallipoli peninsula, intended as a diversionary feint for the main troop landings at Cape Helles area, Vivid II, H.M.S. Loyal (Laforey-class destroyer) 7/6/1917 – 15/1/1919.

Post war he served aboard Gabriel, Simoon, Conquest, Orion & Thunderer.

Promoted to Stoker Petty Officer on 1/9/1916 and discharged to shore pension 9/4/1921.