EVANS, Richard Douglas

“FOR PEACE HIS SOUL WAS YEARNING AND NOW PEACE LAPS HIS ROUND”

Lance Corporal Richard Douglas Evans, 52905, 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

Died of Wounds on 1st May 1917, age 24

Buried at Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France

Richard was born in 1894 and at the time of the 1901 census, he lived with his parents (John & Sophia) and 7 siblings, at 48 Llewellyn Street, Dowlais. By 1911, the family had moved to ‘Sunny View’, where Richard was a Student Teacher at Dowlais Central Boys School.

He enlisted in the colours on 24th January 1916, serving with the British Expeditionary Force from 11th December 1916.

The 9th Battalion were in heavy action in ARRAS in April 1917, with the following taken from the war diary, which is the action I believe Richard was wounded in;

8th April – At 11pm Battalion moved through the canal to BROADWALK and took up position in the trenches for the assault.

9th April – Zero hour 5.30am. General attack was made from South of ARRAS to North of VIMY RIDGE. The brigade attacked with the 11th Btn Middlesex on right, 7th Sussex on left, 9th Royal Fusiliers behind Middlesex, 8th Royal Fusiliers behind 7th Sussex.

Battalions objectives were (1) line of strong points from HOUDAIN LANE to HABARCO TRENCH, (2) HABARCQ TRENCH and (3) HULST TRENCH. All objectives taken together with about 220 prisoners and 2 machine guns.

Casualties – 1 Officer Killed, 3 Wounded, Other Ranks 117.

Noted in ‘De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour’ an officer states “He was an exceedingly nice fellow, and was greatly appreciated by everyone he came into contact with for his unfailing cheerful optimism in many trials we go through out here. He is a distinct loss to his battalion”

Son of John & Sophia Evans, ‘Sunny View’, Pant Road, Dowlais.