Lewis Pugh Evans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lewis Pugh Evans
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Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Pugh Evans c. 1918
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| Born | 3 January 1881 Abermad, Cardiganshire, Wales |
| Died | 30 November 1962 (aged 81) Paddington, London, England |
| Buried |
Llanbadarn Fawr, Ceredigion
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| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Years of service | 1899–1938 1939–1941 |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Service number | 352 |
| Commands held | 159th Brigade 2nd Battalion, Black Watch 14th Brigade Black Watch 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Second Boer War First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Companion of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Distinguished Service Order & Bar Mentioned in Despatches (7) Officer of the Order of Leopold (Belgium) Croix de guerre (France) |
| Relations | Sir James Hills-Johnes VC (uncle) William George Cubitt VC (uncle) |
Brigadier Lewis Pugh Evans (3 January 1881 – 30 November 1962) was a brave officer in the British Army. He received the Victoria Cross (VC), which is the highest award for bravery in battle for British and Commonwealth soldiers.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the Army
Lewis Pugh Evans was born in Abermad, Wales. His father, Sir Gruffydd Humphrey Pugh Evans, was an important lawyer in India. Lewis went to Eton College, a famous school. After that, he trained at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, to become an army officer.
In 1918, Lewis Pugh Evans married Margaret Dorothea Seagrave Vaughan-Pryse-Rice. They lived at a place called Lovesgrove later in his life.
Military Adventures
After his training, Lewis joined the Black Watch regiment in 1899. He became a second lieutenant. His first big adventure was serving in the Second Boer War in South Africa. He fought in many battles, including Poplar Grove and Driefontein. He also helped capture Pretoria.
After the war in South Africa ended in 1902, he went to India with his regiment. Later, he returned to England and even learned how to fly a plane!
Fighting in World War I
When the First World War began in 1914, Lewis first worked as an air observer with the Royal Flying Corps. But after a few months, he went back to his old regiment, the Black Watch. In 1917, he was put in charge of the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment.
Bravery at Zonnebeke
On 4 October 1917, near a place called Zonnebeke in Belgium, Lewis Pugh Evans showed amazing bravery. He was leading his battalion through heavy enemy fire. He kept his soldiers in perfect order and led them to attack.
During the fight, a strong enemy machine gun was causing many problems. Instead of waiting, Lewis Pugh Evans bravely ran towards it himself. He fired his revolver through a small opening in the gun post. This forced the enemy soldiers inside to give up.
After capturing the first target, he was badly hurt in the shoulder. But he refused to stop or get bandaged. He reorganized his troops and showed them where to go next. He led them forward again. Even after being wounded a second time, he kept leading until they reached their second target. Only after they had secured the area did he collapse from losing too much blood.
There were many injured soldiers around. He refused help, wanting others to be treated first. He managed to get to the medical station on his own. His incredible courage inspired all his soldiers to fight with great determination. For this amazing act, he was given the Victoria Cross.
Stopping the German Attack
After recovering from his wounds, Lewis returned to lead his battalion. On 9 April 1918, his lines were attacked during a major German offensive. This battle lasted for three days.
Lewis was constantly moving around, checking on his soldiers. He personally scouted the area for a counterattack, which he led on the third day. His hard work and smart planning helped stop the enemy. He even pushed them back. For this, he received a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order. This meant he received the award a second time.
By November 1918, when the war ended, he was in charge of the 14th Infantry Brigade. He held the temporary rank of Brigadier-General.
Awards and Recognition
Lewis Pugh Evans was mentioned in official reports seven times for his bravery. He received many important awards:
- The Victoria Cross (VC)
- The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and a Bar (meaning he got it twice)
- The 1914 Star and Clasp
- The British War Medal
- The Victory Medal
- The Order of Leopold (Belgium) (from Belgium)
- The Croix de Guerre (from Belgium)
He was also made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1919. In 1938, he became a Companion of the Order of the Bath. He also received an award from the Venerable Order of Saint John.
As a living recipient of the Victoria Cross, he also received special medals for royal events:
- The King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
- The King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
- The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953)
His Victoria Cross medal is now on display at the Imperial War Museum in London.
Life After the Wars
Lewis Pugh Evans retired from the army in 1938. However, he returned to service during the Second World War. He worked as a military liaison officer in Wales. He also worked with a special group called the Special Operations Executive in India. He eventually reached the rank of brigadier.
After the war, from 1947 to 1951, he was an Honorary Colonel for the 16th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment. He was also an Honorary Colonel for the Army Cadet Force in Ceredigion. For 25 years, he was the President of the Royal British Legion branch in Aberystwyth.
Lewis Pugh Evans was also active in his local community. He was a Churchwarden at Llanbadarn Fawr, Ceredigion, where he is now buried. He was also a Justice of the Peace, helping with local law. He was a Deputy Lieutenant for Cardiganshire and a Freeman of Aberystwyth.
He passed away from a heart attack at Paddington Station in London when he was 81 years old.
