Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Herbert was born at Barnard Castle in 1887 the son of Jonathan and Mary (aka Polly). The couple went on to have 9 children but unfortunately 1 died.
The 1891 census shows Jonathan working as a carpet weaver. The children at that time were Arthur, Albert, George, Herbert and, Janet. There was also a boarder living with them.
By 1901 three more children had arrived namely Margaret, Florence and Oswald. Herbert went to school at Barnard Castle National Boys’ School. His religion was Church of England.
1911 shows the family growing up and finding work. Albert and George were stone breakers, Herbert was a general labourer for the council, Janet in domestic service whilst Margaret ad Florence were mill hands (shoe thread).
Herbert joined the army fairly early in the war as by 19th April 1915 he was disembarking in France. Less than a week later he was involved in fighting at the Second Battle of Ypres. His first service number was 1977 later to become 270006.
By the end of May 1915 things became worse as Herbert describes in a letter home how one night the Germans had 'taken advantage of a slight breeze' and sent poisonous fumes to drive them out of camp. In another letter he talks about the British and German trenches only being about 30 yards apart and being able to hear the enemy's conversations quite clearly.
A later letter home mentions that Herbert and his older brother, George (also serving with the 1/6 Durham Light Infantry) were both 'quite happy here’ and that 'it’s just like being at home when you get used to it ‘. Oldest brother Albert also fought in the war.
Herbert had a couple of bouts in hospital. The first was on September 25th 1916 when he was admitted for care with suspected dysentery and was hospitalized for 3 days.
Six months later he needed 6 days treatment for inflammation of connective tissue, buttock right.
His final casualty was when he had been shot in the leg and was taken back to a casualty clearing station where he later died on April 11th 1918. Herbert served his country for 3 years of which 1 year 6 months was in the field.
The following inscription was added to his headstone:- Deeply mourned by his sorrowing father, And mother brothers and sisters.
Herbert Evans is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 78
