Lew Evans was born in Meifod, Montgomeryshire, Wales 1890. He emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio in May of 1912. Less than two years later, he and his brother Evan relocated to Bedworth Township, just east of Dryden where Lew aquired farmland that extended from the dirt ‘highway’ to Wabigoon Lake (The Highlander subdivision is part of his old property.
James “Jimmy” Shapland and Llewellyn “Lew” Evans (AA Walchuk collection)
In 1916, Lew Evans enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Among the Dryden area volunteers was his close friend, Jimmy Shapland, from Eagle River. Lew was registered as ‘fit’ for front line service. Jimmy was not, because of a foot injury and served out the war in the “Forestry Corp.”
Both were trained in Port Arthur as part of the 141st Replacement Bt.
After his training was complete, Lew was posted to the 52nd “New Ontario” Bt.
RMS “Olympic” (AA Walchuk collection)
Lew sailed for England on the “Olympic,” the sister ship of the “Titanic” in April of 1917. “Olympic” would carry 6,000 Canadian troops on each voyage to England.
Shortly after arriving in England, he was confined to a Canadian Military Hospital for 3 weeks with the “Mumps.”
On discharge from hospital, he was able to visit with his siblings and their families for a brief visit.
Lew Evans (in uniform) with his siblings in 1917 (AA Walchuk collection)
By mid-July, he was in ‘front line’ action with the 52nd Bt. He would be in continuous action for a full year.
52nd “New Ontario” near Arras, mid-1918 (Library/Archives Canada)
On the 27th of August, 1918, near Arras, Lew suffered a gun shot wound to his left leg and was hit in his right eye by shrapnel. His ‘front line’ service was over.
For the rest of 1918, he was treated at Canadian Military hospitals until mid-December when he was sent to Liverpool to return to Halifax. In this picture, the wounded Canadian soldiers are all wearing civilian clothing. Their ‘fighting days’ were over – as was the war.
5th Canadian Hospital, Liverpool. Lew Evans is standing beside the nurse, his blinded right eye covered. (AA Walchuk collection)
Discharge Certificate (AA Walchuk collection)
On his return to Canada, Lew was sent to Winnipeg for a final medical examination. He had a slight limp, but his right eye was blinded. He was able to see a light – if it was held a foot or so from his face. Despite this, he was certified as ‘fit to return to his former occupation’ and denied a medical pension. Apparently, a farmer didn’t need both eyes to continue farming.
Several
l years later, his old friend Jimmy Shapland invited Lew home for Sunday dinner – and to meet his sister, Alice, a widow with three small children.
Lew and Alice were married in 1921 and would have three more children. Sadly, in 1928, Alice died in childbirth along with their infant son.
Lew never remarried, and raised all six children (3 Clarke’s and 3 Evans) The three boys, Walt and Bill Clarke and David Evans, all served in World War 2. The husbands of all 3 daughters all served as well.
Lew passed away in a Veterans Hospital in Winnipeg in January of 1972. He is buried beside his wife and their unborn son in the Dryden Cemetery.
Lew’s cap and tunic badges.
Lew’s passport photo from the early 60’s when he went back home to visit his family again for the first time since 1917.
