De Ruvigny Roll of Honour Vol 1 page 126

James Evans was born in Ludgate, Duham, on the 3rd December 1875, he was the 2nd son of James Evans, a Coal Miner, and his wife, Annie Elizabeth. James was educated at Sunderland and joined the Navy on the 27th May 1892.

He married at St Luke's Church at Tidal Basin, on the 6th January 1906, Annie Elizabeth (113 Jersey Road, Custom House, London), daughter of Alexander James George Taylor. They had 4 children James George Alexander, born 3rd March 1909, Annie Elizabeth Lillian, born 16th September 1910, Hilda Violet, born 15th April 1912 and Doris Ivy, born 8th August 1914.

He was 'Boy' 2nd Class on H.M.S. Boscawen from the 4th June 1892 to 30th June 1893. Then 'Boy' 1st Class on H.M.S. Boscawen 1st July to 2nd December 1893. These were Boy Training Establishments.

Ordinary Seaman on H.M.S. Pembroke and Satellite from 9th January 1894 to 30th April 1896. Able Seaman, H.M.S. Sabellite, 1st May 1896 to 6th August 1897.

H.M.S. Pembroke, August 1897 to 23rd February 1898. Then H.M.S. Wildfire 24th February to 20th July 1898. Then back to the Pembroke, 21st July to 9th August 1898. H.M.S. Galates, 10th August 1898 to 10th April 1899. H.M.S. Forte 11th April 1899 to 14th May 1902. H.M.S. Pembroke, 15th May to the 26th September 1902. H.M.S. Anson, 27th September 1902, then back to the H.M.S. Pembroke, 7th May to 31st December 1904. From this ship he received his discharge with conduct "Very Good".

James also served in Gambia 1894 and served through the South African War 1899 to the 25th June 1900. He also 'landed' for the protection of Durban, 24th November 1899. Also took part in the operations with Natal Field Forces, including the battles of Botha's Pass and Allman's Nek, and occupation of Utrecht, Volkurust and Wakestroom.

He was awarded the Ashanti Medal with clasp (Gambia 1894) on the 21st March 1896. The South African Medal with 5 claps (Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing's Nek, Transvaal and Orange Free State), 1st December 1902, and the Good Conduct Medal.

On leaving the Navy he entered the P & O service, but on mobilisation was called up 5th August 1914, and appointed to H.M.S. Cressy, in which he was lost when the ship was torpedoed by U-Boat, U-9, commanded by Otto Weddigen in the North Sea on the 22nd September 1914.

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

In 1874, Boscawen was converted into a training ship and was renamed Wellesley.

James Evans is remembered in Sunderland in S140.048 Part 8, page 156 and on our List of Ships’ crews

The Anglo-Boer War Shipping Records
Casualties and Events on the 22nd September 1914
The CWGC entry for Able Seaman Evans