Pte
James Henry Evans

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortejaar:
1891
Geboorteplaats:
Birmingham, Warwickshire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Houtdraaier

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Strijdmacht:
British Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Private
Service nummer:
26684
Dienstneming datum:
11/12/1915
Dienstneming plaats:
Birmingham, Warwickshire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Eenheden:
 —  Grenadier Guards, 4th Bn.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
12/10/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Houthulst Forest, Belgiƫ
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
26

Gedenkplaats

Tyne Cot Memorial
Paneel: 9

Onderscheidingen en medailles 2

British War Medal
Medaille
Victory Medal
Medaille

Points of interest 3

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Dienstneming plaats
#3 Plaats van overlijden (bij benadering)

Mijn verhaal

Private James Henry Evans served in the Grenadier Guards 4th Battalion, part of the 3rd Guards Brigade of the Guards Division. The Battalion took part in what is known as the First Battle of Passchendaele on October 12 1917.
On the night between the 11th and the 12th of October 1917, the 4th Grenadier Guards and the 1st Welsh Guards advanced across the western side of the Vijfwegen spur towards the frontline near the edge of the Houthulst Forest. While moving up the men were caught in a heavy barrage of high explosive shells and gas shells. The shelling caused many casualties.
At 5.25 a.m, both Battalions advanced. The objective of the attack was to bring the frontline to within 150 yards of Houthulst Forest. The right company of the 4th Grenadier Guardshad to cover the advance of the 1st Welsh Guards. Accompanied by a creeping barrage, the Battalions captured their objective relatively easy with slight casualties. This time, the Germans offered little resistance and retired, but snipers managed to kill some men of the 4th Battalion who were advancing.
Around noon, the German shellfire died down, and seeing there were nog signs of a German counter-attack, both Battalions had the rest of the day to consolidate their position.
The total casualties of the 4th Grenadier Guards due to this attack amounted to 20 men killed, 4 men missing and 64 wounded. It is possible that private James Henry Evans was killed in action near the Hamlet of Vijfwegen either due to the German shelling while moving up to the frontline or during the advance on Houthulst Forrest. His remains were never recovered or identified. James Henry Evans is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Bronnen 3

4 Battalion Grenadier Guards , (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1223/2).
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303
Verdere verwijzing
McCarthy C., The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg. 113-119.
Gebruikte bronnen
Ponsonby F., The Grenadier Guards in the Great War of 1914-19, (London, Macmillan and co, 1920, Vol. 2), pg. 261-265.
Gebruikte bronnen

Meer informatie 3