Early years
Percy Edward Evans was born in 1895, the son of Edward, a cab driver and his wife Fanny. Percy was christened at St Peter’s Church, Cowleigh on 20th October 1895. He was one of six brothers and sisters and they grew up at 1 Hillside, Newtown Road, Malvern.
First World War
Percy Evans joined the 8th Worcestershire Regiment at Worcester on 12th October 1914. After a period of time training in Essex, he landed in Boulogne with the 1/8th Battalion on 1st April 1915, part of 48th (South Midland) Division.
Percy served with ‘C’ Company until he was gassed on the Somme on 20th July 1916. Along with most of the battalion, he suffered from a new form of gas that had not been encountered before. Along with five hundred other men from the battalion Percy was evacuated to 5 Convalescent Depot at Cayeux-sur-Mer on 14th September 1916 and was not well enough to re-join his unit until December 1916.
Battle of Passchendaele
On the 16th August, the 48th Division were to attack two miles south of Langemarck near the ruined village of St Julian (now Sint Jaan). The first attack would be made by the 145th Brigade, with 144th Brigade, including the 1/7th and 1/8th Worcestershire Regiment in reserve. This first attack failed, and over the next two days the Worcestershire Regiment men fought in the mud and slime to capture a concrete block house known as the Maison du Hibou.
A soldier looks across devastated country over the Steenbeek near Ypres showing the derelict Mark IV Tank that deployed with the 1/8th Worcestershire Regiment (taken on 15 February 1918). Copyright: © IWM. Q 10711
More details about this action can be found here: Steenbeek, near Langemarck at the opening of the Passchendaele Offensive.
Percy was seriously wounded during this battle and died at a Casualty Clearing Station at Dozinghem on 20th August 1917. He was buried in the Military Cemetery there.
Percy Evans’ grave at Dozinghem Military Cemetery in 2008.
1901 Census
1911 Census
Malvern News 29/9/1918
