Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Medic’ for Egypt 2.11.1914.
Roll Rank Corporal.
Roll Unit. 3rd Field Company Engineers AIF.
Evans disembarked at Egypt with his Field Coy Engineers. He joined the MEF and embarked for Gallipoli 5.4.1915. After serving for a period in Gallipoli, he was commanded to Egypt for duty and embarked per HT ’Minneapolis’ in July 1915. He disembarked at Alexandria 9.7.1915 and was transferred to the 5th Coy Field Engineers in Heliopolis 26.7.1915. He was promoted to Sgt. 26.7.1915. Evans embarked for Alexandria per ‘Manitou’ 29.1.1916. He was taken on strength at Tel-el-Kebir and promoted 2nd Lieutenant. Evans was allotted to the 15th Field Engineers in Ismailia 19.3.1916. Evans entrained to Alexandria, joined the BEF and embarked for France 18.6.1916. He disembarked at Marseilles 18.6.1916. Evans was seconded for duty wit the 5th Divisional Base Depot from 22.8.1918 -19.10.1916. He became Adjunct for Vice Captain R.P. Butler 12.11.1916. Evans became sick with Influenza 7.12.1916 and was invalided to England per HS ‘New Haven’ 12.12.1916. Evans was reported ill in local papers (West Australian Newspaper 13.1.1917)and was hospitalized, then placed on duty at Perham Downs. Evans marched in to No. 4 Depot Wareham, for drafting duties 24.2.1917.
He returned to France 11.3.1917 from Tidworth Base, UK and marched into his Unit 14.3.1916. He was appointed Adjunct for Capt. Butler 16.3.1917. In September 1917 and was transferred to the 15th Field Engineers 3.9.1917. He was promoted to Captain 25.9.1917). Evans was transferred to the  1st Army Troop Company, 19th Engineers 11.7.1917 and was promoted to Captain 17.9.1917. Evans was awarded the Military Cross 1.1.1918. He was detached to duty with the 14th Field Engineers 19.4.1918. He returned to duty with the 15th Field Company Engineer (FCE) 9.5.1918 Evans was transferred to the 1st Army Troops Coy. Australian Engineers 11.7.1918. He was listed in 'A' draft for return to Australia and embarked at Havre, France for Southampton.
Embarked Southampton per ‘Port Lyttleton’ for Australia 23.10.1918.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 12.2.1918.
Discharged/Appointment Terminated 17.2.1919.
Final Rank Captain, 15th Field Coy Engineers.
Medical Condition Invalided.
Awards and Medals Military Cross,  Distinguished Service Order, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Title of Hon. Colonel.
Military Cross Citation
This Officer has acted as Adjunct to the CRE during the period of Feb. to Sept. Throughout this period he has shown marked skill, zeal and ability, particularly in providing the Division with the necessary RE supplies for their operations. His handling of the RE supplies during the winter, particularly when the Division advanced through Bapaume to Beaumetz when communications were congested and difficult deserves special recognition. He also rendered valuable services and set a fine example when under fire, when with his former Unit, the 15th Field Coy.(London Gazette 1.1.1918).
Notes Evans attended Guildford Grammar School 1899-1909. He was an outstanding student and sportsman and was corporal in the School cadets for 2 years. After service in WW1 he returned to Western Australia and became engaged to and later married Miss Brenda Ermyntrude Smith of Pingelly. Their first child was died in 1922 (West Australian Newspapers 5.6.1922) and a second son was stillborn 25.4.1923 (West Australian Newspapers 3.5.1923) Evan's wife tragically died on 27.4.1923. (West Australian Newspapers 1.5.1923). Evans married Kathleen Mary Samson on 27.6.1924. (West Australian Newspapers 22.7.1923). ) He served with distinction in WW2, being appointed from the Reserve of Officers in 1943. Evans was made Honorary Colonel and received a DSO. He retired  from service 14.6.1949. Evans took up a War Service Farm A949 at Rocky Gully out of Mt Barker (West Australian Newspapers 28.8.1952)

Photos  Mr S.E. Evans. Sunday Times 15.1.1922 p8
             Ernest Evans with wife Alice, daughter Beatrice and son Sidney. Donor M. Tanner. Photo source SGHS Pictorial Collection 2014-052
             HMAT 'Medic' 1914. Photographer Hood, Samuel J. Photograph source AWM H19319
             Landing Engineering appliances at Gallipoli 1915. Photographer C.E. Bean, photograph source AWM G01441
             Engineers constructing a jetty at Ferry Post, Ismailia 1916.  Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P0098.008

Information Source
AWM H19319. HMAT 'Medic' 1914. Photographer Hood, Samuel J. Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM G01441. Landing Engineering appliances at Gallipoli 1915. Photographer C.E. Bean, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P0098.008. Engineers constructing a jetty at Ferry Post, Ismailia 1916.  Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation- Rolls Sidney Ernest Evans
AWM Honours and Awards- Sidney Ernest Evans
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Evans S E
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
SGHS Image No. 2014-052. Ernest Evans with wife Alice, daughter Beatrice and son Sidney. Donor M.Tanner. Photograph source Swan Guildford Historical Society Pictorial Collection
Sunday Times
West Australian Newspaper
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories

16 Helena Street, Guildford. WA.

Associated Images