Alfred Evason

Alfred Evason

Personal Details

Born in Toxteth, Liverpool in 1888, the second son of Charles and Jane Evason.

In 1910 Alfred married Fanny (nee Stoker) Evason of Wellington and they resided at 19 Bark Hill, Whitchurch.

Alfred was a butcher in business at 24 Watergate, Whitchurch.

Military Details

Regiment : 66th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), formerly King’s Shropshire Light Infantry No 204022
Rank : Sergeant
Service Number : 128596

Died of Illness; France (Prisoner of War) 30th September 1918 Age 30

Medals and Awards
Alfred was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals


Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.

The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.



Further Information

Whitchurch Herald 11th January 1919


Report in the Whitchurch Herald 11th January 1919 regarding the death of Alfred Evason

"Mrs Evason of 19 Bark Hill, has received the sad news of the death of her husband, Pte, A Evason while a prisoner of war. Pte, Evason was previously to joining the army in business in Whitchurch as a butcher, he was prominently connected to the Primitive Methodist Chapel, as a worker and Preacher. He joined the army in April 1917, being sent to the KSLI in Swansea, and the following October to Grantham for instructions in Machine Gun fighting. He landed in France in February 1918, and was taken prisoner in the German offensive in April, and died the following September in Le-Cateau Hospital."

Report in the Whitchurch Herald 11th January 1919 of a letter received by Mrs. Evason

"Dear Mrs Evason I regret that it is my painful duty to inform you of the death of Pte, A Evason as a prisoner of war, occurring in Le- Cateau Hospital during the month of September last. I very much regret I am unable to give you any more information.
In deepest sympathy yours faithfully
R Jetney, Captain,
Machine Gun Training Centre"

Whitchurch Herald 11th January 1919


Will of Alfred Evason
Evason, Alfred of 17 Bark Hill Whitchurch Shropshire died 30 September 1918 at Le Cateau France Administration London 12 September to Fanny Evason widow. Effects £250.

Taken from Forces War Records


If you can provide any further information on Alfred Evason please get in touch by leaving a comment below, using our Contact Form or by calling in to Whitchurch Heritage Centre.


Information provided by Terry Evanson Whitchurch, Shropshire and Whitchurch Museum and Archives


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

We want to make sure you're human! * Time limit is exhausted. Please reload the CAPTCHA.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.