Lewis Pugh Evans

Lewis Pugh Evans was born at Abermad, Cardiganshire, on 3 January 1881, the son of Sir Gruffydd Humphrey Pugh Evans, Advocate-General of Bengal, and Lady Emilia Savi Pugh Evans. Educated at Eton College between 1895 and 1898, he completed officer training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, before securing a commission as a second lieutenant in the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) on 23 December 1899, registered under officer service number 352. Despatched to South Africa with the 2nd Battalion during the Second Boer War, he saw extensive action across the Orange Free State and Transvaal, participating in engagements at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Vet River, Diamond Hill, and Belfast. Guerrilla operations in the Orange River Colony resulted in his capture at Ladybrand, followed by a period of imprisonment alongside severe bouts of diphtheria and fever, prior to his promotion to lieutenant in May 1901.

Service with his regiment in British India preceded a return to England, where he cultivated an interest in early military aviation. He earned Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 595 at Brooklands on 20 August 1913 while attending Staff College at Camberley. Upon the outbreak of the First World War, an appointment as General Staff Officer 3rd Grade at the War Office was quickly followed by deployment to France in September 1914 as an air observer with No. 3 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, mapping enemy defensive positions along the Aisne.

A desire for frontline infantry duty prompted his transfer back to the 1st Battalion, Black Watch, as a company commander in December 1914. Serving as Brigade Major to the 7th Infantry Brigade from May 1915, he earned the Distinguished Service Order at Hooge on 16 June 1915. When advancing British formations became disorganized under heavy artillery fire, he moved continuously along the firing line from mid-morning until midnight to re-establish tactical cohesion and transmit situation reports to headquarters.

Promotion to temporary lieutenant-colonel in March 1917 brought command of the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. During the assault near Zonnebeke on 4 October 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres, his unit encountered heavily fortified pillboxes east of Polygon Wood. The London Gazette published the official citation for his Victoria Cross on 26 November 1917:

"For most conspicuous bravery and leadership. Lt.-Col. Evans took his battalion in perfect order through a terrific enemy barrage, personally formed up all units, and led them to the assault. While a strong machine gun emplacement was causing casualties, and the troops were working round the flank, Lt.-Col. Evans rushed at it himself and by firing his revolver through the loophole, forced the garrison to capitulate. After capturing the first objective he was severely wounded in the shoulder, but refused to be bandaged, and re-formed the troops, pointed out all future objectives, and again led his battalion forward. Again badly wounded, he nevertheless continued to command until the second objective was won, and, after consolidation, collapsed from loss of blood. As there were numerous casualties, he refused assistance, and by his own efforts ultimately reached the Dressing Station. His example of cool bravery stimulated in all ranks the highest valour and determination to win."

King George V invested Evans with the Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace on 2 January 1918. Returning to command the 1st Battalion, Black Watch, he led his men against the German Spring Offensive at Givenchy in April 1918. Over three days of sustained combat, he directed forward defences and personally reconnoitred the ground for counter-attacks, earning a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order. Promotion to temporary brigadier-general in June 1918 placed him at the head of the 14th Infantry Brigade through the final months of the campaign.

Post-war duties included commanding the Rhine Army Base Commandant at Rotterdam and leading the 159th Welsh Border Infantry Brigade. Retiring in January 1938 as a Companion of the Order of the Bath, he re-entered service during the Second World War as Military Liaison Officer for Wales Region Headquarters and assisted Special Operations Executive activities in India. His postwar years were spent in local administration as a Deputy Lieutenant, Justice of the Peace, and churchwarden in Llanbadarn Fawr until his death at Paddington Station on 30 November 1962.