THE VICTORIA CROSS, DECORATIONS AND CAMPAIGN MEDALS AWARDED TO BRIGADIER GENERAL LEWIS PUGH EVANS, HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED BY THE MICHAEL ASHCROFT TRUST.
November 2009


( select to enlarge )

Medal entitlement of Brigadier General Lewis Pugh Evans
The Black Watch, command 1st Bn, The Lincolnshire Regiment

  • Victoria Cross
  • Companion, Order of the Bath ( CB )
  • Companion, Order of St Michael & St George ( CMG )
  • Disginguished Service Order ( DSO ) & Bar
  • Commander, Order of St John of Jerusalem ( CStJ )
  • Queen's South Africa Medal ( 1899-1902 )
    • 5 clasps:
    • "Cape Colony" - "Johannesburg"
    • "Laing's Nek" - "Diamond Hill" - "Belfast"
  • King's South Africa Medal ( 1901-02 )
    • 2 clasps:
    • "South Africa 1901" - "South Africa 1902"
  • 1914 Star + clasp "5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914"
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) + MiD Oakleaf
  • Defence Medal ( 1939-45 )
  • King George V Delhi Durbar Medal ( 1911 )
  • King George V Silver Jubilee Medal ( 1935 )
  • King George VI Coronation Medal ( 1937 )
  • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )
  • Knight, Order of Leopold II ( Belgium )
  • Croix de Guerre ( Belgium )


The Victoria Cross and campaign medals awarded to Brigadier General Lewis Pugh Evans, VC, CB, CMG, DSO & Bar, The Black Watch, comd 1st Bn, Lincolnshire Regiment, have been acquired by the Michael Ashcroft Trust, the holding institution for Lord Ashcroft's VC Collection.


For the award of the Victoria Cross.

[ London Gazette, 26 November 1917 ], Near Zonnebeke, Belgium, 4 October 1917, Major ( A / Lieutenant Colonel ) Lewis Pugh Evans DSO, The Black Watch, comd 1st Bn, Lincolnshire Regiment.

For most conspicuous bravery and leadership ( Zonnebeke, Belgium ) Lt.-Col. Evans took his battalion in perfect order through a terrific enemy barrage, personally formed up all units, and led them to the assault.

While a strong machine gun emplacement was causing casualties, and the troops were working round the flank, Lt.-Col. Evans rushed at it himself and by firing his revolver through the loop-hole forced the garrison to capitulate.

After capturing the first objective he was severely wounded in the shoulder, but refused to be bandaged, and re-formed the troops, pointed out all future objectives, and again led his battalion forward. Again badly wounded, he nevertheless continued to command until the second objective was won, and, after consolidation, collapsed from loss of blood. As there were numerous casualties, he refused assistance, and by his own efforts ultimately reached the Dressing Station.

His example of cool bravery stimulated in all ranks the highest valour and determination to win.

Lewis Pugh Evans was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 2nd January 1918.


Following recovery from his wounds Lewis Pugh Evans rejoined the Lincolnshire Regiment in January 1918, only to be given command of the 1st Bn, Black Watch a fortnight later. On the 10th June 1918 Evans was made a Temporary Brigadier General and took command of 14th Infantry Brigade, a position he held until the end of the war.

Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Evans suffered a fatal heart attack on London's Paddington Station on the 30th November 1962 and was buried in the family plot at Llanbadarn Church, Ceredigion.


[ London Gazette, 24 July 1915 ], Created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ), Major Lewis Pugh Evans, The Black Watch

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 16 June 1915, at Hooge, when, after troops had become much mixed up, he continually moved up and down the firing line under heavy fire from 10 a.m. till midnight reorganizing units and bringing back their reports.


[ London Gazette, 16 September 918 ], Awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ), Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Pugh Evans, VC, DSO, The Black Watch

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in a three days' battle at Givenchy in April 1918: On the first day he was moving about everywhere in his forward area directing operations. The next day he personally conducted a reconnaissance for a counter-attack, which was carried out on the third day. It was largely due to his untiring energy and method that the enemy were checked and finally driven out of our forward system.

Acquisitions

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Iain Stewart, 27 November 2009