Death and a hero

As told by Rose Rae of Launceston.

“Francis Raymond Evans (aka Frank Richard), Sapper - 96 3rd Field Co Engineers, enlisted near Launceston on 19th August 1914. He was the youngest brother of my grandfather Alexander Arthur Evans MC DSO. Frank worked as a fitter and turner at Salisburys Foundry in Launceston prior to enlisting in 1914. Frank died of wounds to the chest on the 29th May 1915 on board the HS Gascon and was buried at sea between Imbros and Gaha Tepe.

Documentation shows that there was some confusion amongst the family at this time. They had received a telegram notifying them of Frank’s death. However, at the same time they received word from my grandfather, Alexander, that Frank was alive and well in a hospital in Alexandria, Egypt.

Letters were written back from the family to clarify if he was the same person. It was not until Frank's sister Nell received a letter from the nurse on board the HS Gascon that the Francis Raymond Evans that died and was buried at sea was their little Frank.

The dispute about the name went on for many years with the family trying to rectify the name. The Army held fast to the rule that all soldiers plaques and grave stones must show the name as enlisted.

So Frank Richard Evans is commemorated at Lone Pine, grave reference 12. My grandfather Alexander Evans named his second son (born in 1915) Francis Raymond who went on to be a much decorated RAF pilot in WWII Gallipoli.”