Children supporting the war effort

As told by Rose Rae of Launceston.

“My mother Beverley Evans was the eldest child of Major Alexander Evans MC DSO. She was four years old when her father went to Gallipoli and ten when he finally returned home to Launceston seven years later. Like many children at the time she was eager to support any effort to help with funds to help the soldiers fighting for their country. The photo shown here is of a group of children in a fund raising pageant in Launceston in about 1917. My mother is the artillery Queen in the middle. She cherished this photo and was very proud of her father and his achievements in WWI. Alexander Arthur Evans was born in 1881 in Launceston, Tasmania and later died in 1955. He was educated at Launceston Grammar School and became a clerk. Evans served in the South African War with the 2nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen from March 1901 to May 1902. He was wounded, mentioned in dispatches and promoted from private to sergeant. When back home Evans was a sportsman. He rowed for Tasmania, won major cycling events and represented the State in road races, sailed and played club football.

When war began in 1914 Evans was appointed as a second lieutenant in the 3rd Artillery Brigade and embarked in October with the first contingent. He was promoted lieutenant in February 1915 and reached Gallipoli on 25 April, though his battery's guns were not taken ashore until early May. During this service Evans received the Military Cross medal in Gallipoli and the Distinguished Service Order for his ‘tireless work and valour’ on the Western Front. He went on to be Mayor of Launceston twice and was an Independent in the Legislative Council. He called himself 'the soldiers voice'.”