Driver Evan John Evans-Vaughan Army Service Corps, Royal Artillery, Cardiganshire Police and St John
The Man Evan John Evans-Vaughan was born on Sunday 31st December 1893 in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan, Wales, son of Margaret and seemingly her only child. Strangely the 1901 census cannot be found.
Following his education, Evan became a Hewer in a local colliery owned by the Ocean Coal Company and on 4th January aged 18, enlisted into No 2 Company, 53rd (Welsh) Division, Army Service Corps Territorial Force as a Driver with service number T-558. He was described as 5’.9½“ tall with a 36” chest and good vision and physical development, weighing 10st 3lbs with a dark complexion and dark hair. The census of the same year shows him, aged 17, with his mother living at 101 Tallis Street, Cwmpark, Treorchy, Rhondda.
Evan completed his annual territorial training in 1911, 1912 and 1913 and following the start of World War I on 4th August 1914 was embodied the next day, 5th. He signed Army Form E.624 on 21st May 1915 agreeing to serve overseas in the event of an emergency, although must have verbally agreed before this date as he later qualified for the Territorial Force War Medal.
Following his education, Evan became a Hewer in a local colliery owned by the Ocean Coal Company and on 4th January aged 18, enlisted into No 2 Company, 53rd (Welsh) Division, Army Service Corps Territorial Force as a Driver with service number T-558. He was described as 5’.9½“ tall with a 36” chest and good vision and physical development, weighing 10st 3lbs with a dark complexion and dark hair. The census of the same year shows him, aged 17, with his mother living at 101 Tallis Street, Cwmpark, Treorchy, Rhondda.
Evan completed his annual territorial training in 1911, 1912 and 1913 and following the start of World War I on 4th August 1914 was embodied the next day, 5th. He signed Army Form E.624 on 21st May 1915 agreeing to serve overseas in the event of an emergency, although must have verbally agreed before this date as he later qualified for the Territorial Force War Medal.
On 4th January 1916 Evan was discharged from the Territorial Force and transferred to the Regular Army Royal Artillery with a new number 103095. He was subsequently posted overseas seeing active service during the war and being awarded the 1914-18 British War Medal, Victory Medal and Territorial Force War Medal.
During the second quarter of 1924 aged 31, Evan married Edith Kate Collins in Aberystwyth and they had one daughter Rena who was born in 1925. Evan joined the Cardiganshire Constabulary as a Constable and the 1939 Register shows him as such living at the Police Station in Aberystwyth with Edith and Rena. In Army Order 32 of 29th February 1932, he was awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal named with his prewar service number and most likely a late award.
Evan served in the Police throughout the War subsequently being awarded his Defence Medal and later Police Exemplary Service Medal on 4th November 1952 aged 59 at about the time of his retirement. He also served in the St John Ambulance winning many competitions representing the Police. He was appointed as a Serving Brother of the Order, this appearing in the London Gazette of 5th July 1955.
In later life Evan and Edith lived at Wenllwyn, Talybont, Cardiganshire and Edith passed away on 5th June 1958. Following her passing Evan re-married during the first quarter of 1959 to Olwen Williams in Pontypridd.
Evan died on 9th December 1964 aged 70 at The Hospital, Machynlleth, Montgomeryshire.
During the second quarter of 1924 aged 31, Evan married Edith Kate Collins in Aberystwyth and they had one daughter Rena who was born in 1925. Evan joined the Cardiganshire Constabulary as a Constable and the 1939 Register shows him as such living at the Police Station in Aberystwyth with Edith and Rena. In Army Order 32 of 29th February 1932, he was awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal named with his prewar service number and most likely a late award.
Evan served in the Police throughout the War subsequently being awarded his Defence Medal and later Police Exemplary Service Medal on 4th November 1952 aged 59 at about the time of his retirement. He also served in the St John Ambulance winning many competitions representing the Police. He was appointed as a Serving Brother of the Order, this appearing in the London Gazette of 5th July 1955.
In later life Evan and Edith lived at Wenllwyn, Talybont, Cardiganshire and Edith passed away on 5th June 1958. Following her passing Evan re-married during the first quarter of 1959 to Olwen Williams in Pontypridd.
Evan died on 9th December 1964 aged 70 at The Hospital, Machynlleth, Montgomeryshire.
Evan John Evans-Vaughan's St John Ambulance award medallions
The Story The medals awarded to Evan John Evans-Vaughan were acquired from Lockdales Auctions on 17th September 2023. The group was of interest because of the long service combination of medals with the Territorial Force War Medal.
As the Police Exemplary Service Medal was with its box of issue showing Cardiganshire Constabulary, research on ancestry.UK was relatively straightforward and together with his will and the St John Museum enabled a biography to be completed.
Oddly, despite much searching and cross reference no record could be found of either his father or the 1901 census.
As the Police Exemplary Service Medal was with its box of issue showing Cardiganshire Constabulary, research on ancestry.UK was relatively straightforward and together with his will and the St John Museum enabled a biography to be completed.
Oddly, despite much searching and cross reference no record could be found of either his father or the 1901 census.
Medal Details:
- Serving Brother of the Order of St John: EVANS-VAUGHAN EVAN JOHN 1955
- 1914-18 British War Medal: 103095 GNR.E.J.E.VAUGHAN. R.A.
- Victory Medal: 103095 GNR. E.J.E.VAUGHAN. R.A.
- Territorial Force War Medal: General Service Medal: 103095 GNR. E.J.E.VAUGHAN. R.A.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded
- Territorial Efficiency Meda: T/558 DVR. J.E.VAUGHAN. R.A.S.C.
- Police Exemplary Service Medal: CONST. EVAN.J.E.VAUGHAN
This page last updated 9 Dec 23
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