STEWART NICHOLSON EVANS
Born: 11th April 1891, ‘Cranbourne’ Westerfield Road, Ipswich.
Died: 9th July 1917; age 26; killed when his aircraft took a sudden dive to the earth at Purley, Surrey. Stewart was an expert flyer, having had considerable experience. The theory advanced regarding his death was that while in the clouds something went wrong with the controls of his machine, which crashed to earth.
Inquest held Wednesday, 11th July 1917, at Croydon.
The Scotsman – 12th July 1917.
An inquest was held at Croydon yesterday on Lieutenant Stewart Nicholson Evans (26), of the Royal Flying Corps, who was killed on Monday while flying in Surrey. According to the evidence he was seen to come out of the clouds suddenly when only about 800 feet above ground. One of the planes broke away, and the machine took a sudden dive to the earth. A verdict of accidental death was returned.
Residence: 29, Constitution Hill, Ipswich.
In July 1915 – 6th (Cyclist ) Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment – Lance-Corporal Strewart Nicholson Evans, from the Inns of Court Officers’ Training Corps, to be Second Lieutenant.
Rank: Lieutenant; Regiment: H.M. Royal Flying Corps.
Formerly Suffolk Regiment, 2nd/6th Cyclist Battalion – T.F.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Grave Reference:
K.8.6A.
Ipswich.
CENSUS
1901 Constitution Hill, Ipswich.
Stewart was 9 years old and living with his mother & sisters.
Jessie Alice Evans (nee Webster), 34, a Laundress – own account, born Reading, Berkshire.
Gladys Howard Evans, 11, born Ipswich.
Gwynredd Maud Evans, 8, born ‘Cranbourne’ Westerfield Road, Ipswich.
Phyllis Mary Evans, 6, born ‘Cranbourne’ Westerfield Road, Ipswich.
1 cook
1 housemaid
1 nurse
1911 68, Romford Road, Stratford East.
Stewart was 19 years, an Apprentice – G.E.R. Works – Loco Dept. He was boarding at the boarding house of 53 year old, widow, Elizabeth Hannah Mann.
Stewart’s mother Jessie Alice Evans died June 1914, at 6, Paget Road, Ipswich.
Stewart was educated at Ipswich School.
Stewart’s medals were sent to Howard B. Evans, Esq. c/o Alan Turner, Esq. of 4, Elm Street, Ipswich.
Probate to Alan Turner – solicitor the attorney of Howard Brinsley Evans – father.
On the 26th March 1956, after the death of Howard Brinsley Evans, the Former Grant D.R. cessate, probate now to Gwynedd Maud Marshall – sister, a widow.
Stewart is also remembered on St. Matthews Church Memorial.
In 2018, Stewart Nicholson Evans’s name was added to the Chapel war memorial at Ipswich School.
Stewart’s father was Howard Brinsley Evans, born 1865, Clifton, Bristol, Gloucestershire. Formerly a Manufacturing Chemist at Ipswich. On the 1901 census Howard was 36 years old and a boarder at the home of 41 year old, Frederick S.D. Hogg, a Medical Practitioner at his home – Dalryorple House, Uxbridge Road, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. He was a Coffee Planter – own account. Howard had just returned from Colombo, Ceylon, he was listed as a Coffee Planter. In 1904, Howard left his family and emigrated to Monterey, California, U.S.A. Howard died in February 1956, at Napa County, California.
Howard was researched and is remembered on the FindaGrave page by Mike Zumalt https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199444619/howard-brinsley-evans
In 1916, Ipswich, Stewart’s sister, Phyllis May Evans married Raymond Jones Catchpole, born November 1886, Ipswich, son of William John Catchpole – Mayor of Ipswich 1902 – 1903, and brother to Cyril Catchpole – Mayor of Ipswich 1950 – 1951. In May 1918, Phyllis and Raymond named their first son Stewart.
H.M. Royal Flying Corps:
http://www.airwar1.org.uk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Flying_Corps
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