Edward Evans, 1st Baron Mountevans

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Edward Ratcliffe Garth Russell Evans, 1st Baron Mountevans KCB DSO (October 28, 1881 - August 20, 1957), known as "Teddy" Evans, was a British naval officer and Antarctic explorer. He served as second-in-command on Robert Falcon Scott's ill-fated expedition to the South Pole in 1910-1913 and as captain of the expedition ship Terra Nova.

Edward Evans was born in London in 1881 (some sources say 1880), the son of a barrister. Although expelled from Merchant Taylors School for truancy he eventually completed sufficient schooling to make his way onto a merchant marine training ship and obtain, two years later, a naval cadetship. In 1900 he was promoted to sub-lieutenant and, shortly after, served as second officer of the Morning, the relief vessel of Scott's first Antarctic expedition in 1901-1904.

Scott offered Evans the position with his second expedition as a means of persuading him to drop plans for his own competing expedition to explore King Edward VII Land. However, it was an uneasy working relationship, as Scott continued to regard Evans as a rival[citation needed].

In Antarctica, Evans was initially in charge of Scott's motor-sledge party. After the sledges broke down, he continued south, man-hauling, as the leader of the last supporting party to accompany Scott to the pole. Evans turned back on January 4, 1912, within 150 miles of the pole. On the return journey, Evans became seriously ill with scurvy and had to be pulled on the sledge. His declining condition was chronicled in the journal of one of his companions, William Lashly, who observed that Evans was "turning black and blue and several other colours as well", and later that he was in great pain and unable to stand. Evans later wrote: "Very seriously and sadly they re-erected our tent and put me once again inside. I thought I was being put into my grave...." At this point, the other member of the party, Tom Crean, had to walk alone the remaining 35 miles to the expedition's base camp to fetch assistance. Altogether, the three had marched about 1500 miles.

Because of his illness, Evans was sent home in the expedition's ship Terra Nova in March, 1912, but he recovered and returned the following year in command of the ship to take off the expedition's survivors.

Following his Antarctic service, Evans had a successful naval career. In 1917, he commanded the destroyer HMS Broke in an action against German destroyers off Dover. The action, which at one stage involved the Broke ramming a German destoyer and fierce fighting at close quarters, made Evans a popular hero. He eventually received the Distinguished Service Order, rose to the rank of vice-admiral and was created a baron, Lord Mountevans of the Broke, in 1946.

E.R.G.R. "Teddy" Evans is not to be confused with Petty Officer Edgar Evans, who was a member of Scott's polar party and died with his companions on the return journey from the pole.

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