Pte 94247 Thomas Alfred Evans

• Age: 20
• From: Bromborough, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 29th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

Thomas Alfred Evans was born in August 1898 in Bromborough, Cheshire the son of Joseph Evans and his wife Alice (nee Chase) who married at St Chad's Church, Everton in 1890. 

On the 1901 Census the family are living on New Chester Road, Bromborough. Thiomas Alfred is recorded as Alfred. His father, Joseph, is a 32 year old cattle man on a farm, born in Ellesmere Shropshire, whilst his mother, Alice, is 30 years of age and was also born in Ellesmere Shropshire. Their children all born Bromborough are recorded as, William aged 10, Annie 7, Alfred 2, and Lilian 1.

The 1911 Census shows 12 year old Alfred living with his parents and 6 siblings, still on New Chester Rd. His father Joseph is now 43 cowman on farm, his place of birth is now shown as Welchhampton, Shropshire, as is his mother's Alice, now aged 39. They advise that they have been married for 21 years and have had 9 children, 7 of whom have survived. Alfred and his siblings were all born in Bromborough. His siblings listed at the property were; William aged 20 candle factory pipe fitter, Annie 17 candle factory cabler, Lily 11 at school, Hilda 9 at school, Ada 4 at school, and Doris 1.   

Alfred originally served as Private 39541 in the East Lancashire Regiment.

Prior to the war he worked for Price's Candlemakers. Details obtained from their staff magazine shows that he was called up on March 26th 1917, similar East Lancashire Regiment service numbers record that they went to 67 TRB for training and were allocated their numbers on the 09th November 1917. From thereon they embarked on the 17th March 1918, and at the Depot transferred to the KLR on the 19th March 1918.

He was serving in the 17^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 94247 when he was killed in action on the 29^th April 1918, aged 19, during the German Spring Offensive. Details of the action were recorded in the battalion diary:

By the 25^th April the battalion had taken up positions of readiness in the Voormezeele sector. According to the battalion War Diary, on the night of the 27^th, at 8.30 p.m. they moved to the line to relieve 4^th Bn, relief completed about 1 a.m.

28^th – At about 1 p.m. a company of composite battalion gave way on the left of our line and the Bosche penetrated from the Canal Bank to the left of my battalion front, which position he maintained despite 5 hours fighting. My reserve company was ordered to counter-attack and restore the position at 7.45 p.m. but enemy laid down a barrage at 7.43 a.m. and the counter attack was unable to proceed. The enemy bombardment lasted until 10.30 p.m. and I then organised a defensive flank.

29^th – At 3.30 a.m. heavy enemy bombardment opened, followed later (9.00 a.m.) by enemy attack and our line was forced back to G.H.Q.1 where I organised and held on to the position. The enemy got through on both flanks practically surrounding 2 of my companies. ‘A’ company was actually surrounded and after severe fighting were captured.

Alfred was originally reported as Misisng and his parents placed an appeal for information in the Birkenhead News on 06th July 1918:

Information is sought respecting Pte T. A. Evans, No. 94249(sic), 17th Service Batt. K.L. Regt., who has been missing since April 29. His parents, who reside at 3 Pool Cottages, New Chester Road, New Ferry, will be grateful for any news that can be forwarded to them.

His death was reported in the staff magazine of Price's Candles Magazine LIGHT WAVES

Bromborough Pool Works

Word has been received that Pte T. A. Evans who was reported missing on April 29th 1918, is now officially reported killed on that date. Pte Evans, who was twenty years of age, was employed by the Company for four and a half years, chiefly in the saw mill, prior to joining the Colours on March 26th 1917, he was serving with the D Co., 17th King's Liverpool Regiment.

Alfred has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

Soldiers Effects to father Joseph, Pension to mother Alice.