| Lewis Pugh Evans | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 January 1881 Ceredigion, Wales |
| Died | 30 November 1962 (aged 81) Aberystwyth, Wales |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1899 – 1938 1939 – 1941 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Commands held | 159th Brigade 2nd Battalion, Black Watch 14th Brigade Black Watch 1st Battalion, Royal 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) Order of Leopold (Belgium) Croix de guerre (France) |
Brigadier General Lewis Pugh Evans VC, CB, CMG, DSO & Bar, DL (3 January 1881 – 30 November 1962) was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Lewis Pugh Evans was born at Abermadd to Sir Gruffydd Humphrey Pugh Evans (1840–1902), Knight Commander of the Indian Empire, Advocate-General of Bengal and a member of the Viceroy's Council, and Lady Emilia Savi Pugh Evans (née Hills; 1849–1938). Lewis Pugh Evans was educated at Eton and entered the army through Sandhurst.
After Sandhurst Evans entered the British Army with a commission in the Black Watch with whom he served in the Second Boer War in South Africa. After service with his regiment in India Evans returned to England and obtained a pilot's certificate and when the First World War broke out in 1914 he was posted as an air observer with the Royal Flying Corps but after a few months he returned to the Black Watch and in 1917 was appointed to command the First Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment.
On 4 October 1917 near Zonnebeke, Belgium and by now an Acting Lieutenant Colonel in The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), British Army, Pugh was Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
For most conspicuous bravery and leadership. 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 loophole 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.[1]
Evans was mentioned in despatches seven times and was awarded the DSO[2] and Bar;[3] the 1914 Star and Clasp; the British War Medal; the Victory Medal; the Order of Leopold (Belgium)[4] and the Croix de Guerre. He was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1919,[5] and a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1938.[6]
His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.
Lewis Pugh Evans married Margaret Dorothea Seagrave Vaughan-Pryse-Rice on 10 October 1918. They lived at Lovesgrove on the death of his elder brother.[7]
In 1938 he retired from the Army but returned to service in World War II as a Military Liaison Officer at the Headquarters of the Wales Region. He worked with SOE in India. He later achieved the rank of brigadier general. Between October 1947 and January 1951 he was Honorary Colonel of the 16th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment.[8][9]
He was Honorary Colonel of the Army Cadet Force in Ceredigion and was for 25 years President of the Aberystwyth Branch of the Royal British Legion.
He was a Churchwarden at Llanbadarn Fawr, where he now lies buried, and a Justice of the Peace on the local bench as well as Deputy Lieutenant for Cardiganshire[10] and a Freeman of the borough of Aberystwyth. Pugh was also invested as an Officer of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.[11]