Claude Eustace Herbert Evans
From Our Contribution
 Claude on right | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 14 Aug 1895 |
| Place of Birth | Albany, Western Australia |
| Death | 2 Aug 1972 |
| Place of Death | Bassendean, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years old |
| Description |
5'5" (1.65m) tall ; 115lbs 52.163 kg ; fresh complexion ; grey eyes ; light brown hair |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | NOK Fimiston, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr. Arthur Ernest Evans |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6756 |
| Date of Enlistment | 24 Jul 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 22nd Reinforcement allocated to C Company / 7th Brigade, 2nd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 9 Nov 1916 ‒ 10 Jan 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A8 Argyllshire Fremantle to Devonport |
| Date of Return | 1 Jun 1919 ‒ 8 Jul 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Somali |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 6 May 1917 Reincourt Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entry - 1917 Military Camp, Claremont, soldier.
War Service
Entering camp at Claremont on 24 Jul 1916, Claude was allocated to the 79th Depot Company. It was not until 9 Aug 1916 that he was allocated to the 23rd reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion. A month later on 4 Sep 1918 he was reallocated to the 22nd reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion and he travelled with them aboard HMAT A8 Argyllshire, disembarking in Devonport on 10 Jan 1917. On arrival in England Claude was sent to the 3rd Training Battalion at Durrington to prepare for France. Training complete, he proceeded overseas to France through Folkestone on 5 Apr 1917.
In France he was one of 76 reinforcements taken on strength of the 11th Battalion on 24 Apr 1917 as it moved from Velu to Haplincourt where it was replacing the 5th Dorset Battalion. On the same day, the Sergeant and 29 other ranks who had been providing the Divisional GOC's Guard also rejoined the battalion. Claude was allocated to 'C' Company. Wounded in action on 6 May 1917 during one of the two German attacks on the 11th Battalion which was holding the front line near Reincourt, Claude was seen first by the 5th Field Ambulance before being passed to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station. On the next day (7 May) Claude was transferred to the 26th General Hospital in Étaples. Three days later on 10 May 1917 he was released to the 6th Convalescent Depot, so we might assume his injury was relatively minor, given he rejoined the battalion on 22 May 1917.
During 1918 he required hospital treatment in France on a number of occasions - 20 to 25 January (scabies); 6 February to 3 March (knee); and 24 April to 28 June (67 days ineffective with VD). He rejoined the battalion again on 13 Aug 1918, having been absent from 20 Jan 1918. Claude was granted leave in England from 22 Mar 1919 until 5 Apr 1919, before returning to France and the 11th Battalion. Sixteen days later on 21 Apr 1919 he was again off to England, and this time home to Australia where he was discharged by 5th Military District.
Post War
During 1925 Claude married Lilith Adelaide Boundy in Katanning. Lilith died aged 60 in 1963.
Electoral Roll entries - 1922 - 1943 Broome Hill, farmer; 1949 - 1954 at 51 Anzac terrace, Bassendean, a council employee; 1958 - 1968 at 22 Sixth avenue, Bassendean, a porter
Was a temporary worker with the Western Australian government Railways in Midland Junction in Dec 1949, and on 9 Feb 1959 was appointed to staff.
Notes
During WW2 Claude enlisted on 4 Feb 1942 with service number W26784. At time of discharge on 31 Jul 1947 he was employed by Western Command Depot Medical & Veterinary Stores.