South African War Graves Project -

Son of the late Colonel Robert Winter Evans. Husband of Mrs. Edith Louise Winter-Evans, of Reefton, New Zealand. Born in Natal. He was recommended for the Victoria Cross while a teenager serving in the Boer War for his native South Africa. He was awarded the D.C.M. He spent five years at St George's school at Harpenden Heights. After the Boer war he went to New York where he attended Columbia School of Mines (he is listed on Columbia University's honours board). Prior to going to war Winter Evans was either general manager or assistant general manager of Consolidated Gold Fields of New Zealand Ltd - which operated a number of gold mines in the Reefton area of the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. During a turbulent period in the history of the Reefton gold mines in 1912 Evans led the company in a bitterly fought six month strike - at the end of which he introduced new work practices which improved productivity substantially and are credited with ensuring the mines continued to operate over the next two decades when inflation increased prices in NZ by some 67 percent. Left New Zealand with the Rifle Brigade. Prior to joining the Expeditionary Force, he held a commission in the New Zealand Motor Service Corps. He arrived at the front during the great war in May 1916 and was awarded the D.S.O in the field. He married Edith Louise Foster of Limpsfield Surrey and had two children. He was awarded the D.S.O. for gallantry at Messines. ref. South African Roll of Honour 1914-1918.

Age:	36
Date of Birth:	1881-02-21
Service No:	26/11
Rank:	Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:	3rd
Unit 2:	3rd Bn.
Regiment:	New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Date of Death:	1917-10-12
Cause of Death:	Killed in action, at Wolf Farm, Passchendaele, as soon as it appeared that the check was more than temporary he had gone ahead to endeavour by direct personal efforts to get his troops forward, but moving from shell-hole to shell-hole amongst the scattered groups, he drew upon himself the inevitable burst of machine gun fire, under which, fearlessly persisting, he at last fell mortally wounded

Grave Reference:	N.Z. Apse, Panel 7.
Cemetery:	TYNE COT MEMORIAL

Localitly:	Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen
Country:	Belgium

Decorations:	D S O, D C M, Mentioned in Despatches (twice)
Citations:	DSO LG Sup 14 August 1917 pg. 8353 - "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack and the subsequent consolidation of the captured position he showed the greatest coolness and energy, inspiring all ranks by his magnificent personal example and never sparing himself to make the operation of his battalion the success which it was. His work at all times has been of the same high standard." DCM LG 20 July 1900 - "On 23 October, five men were sent along the road to Newcastle with the aim of ascertaining the position and strength of the Boers in that area. Contact was made, the Boers opened fire on the patrol, and the men hastily retreated. In doing so one man's horse bolted and he was left stranded. On seeing the man's predicament, Trooper A W Evans caught the runaway horse and returned it to its fallen rider, thereby saving him from certain capture or death. In spite of retreating under heavy fire, all five men returned safely to Ladysmith", MID LG 1 June 1917 pg. 5429 - "For skill and ability while commanding his Battalion. On 1st October 1916 his Battalion was supporting the Division on the right, when he established a line of strong points and held them, until ordered to withdraw. Colonel Winter-Evans, then 2nd-in-command, commanded his Battalion throughout the operations on the Somme, and always displayed coolness and energy in the performance of his duties." MID LG 28 December 1917 pg. 13575 - "Mentioned in Field Marshall D. Haig's despatch of 7 November 1917 for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty during the period February 26th to midnight September 20-21st, 1917"
Son of the late Colonel Robert Winter Evans. Husband of Mrs. Edith Louise Winter-Evans, of Reefton, New Zealand. Born in Natal. He was recommended for the Victoria Cross while a teenager serving in the Boer War for his native South Africa. He was awarded the D.C.M. He spent five years at St George's school at Harpenden Heights. After the Boer war he went to New York where he attended Columbia School of Mines (he is listed on Columbia University's honours board). Prior to going to war Winter Evans was either general manager or assistant general manager of Consolidated Gold Fields of New Zealand Ltd - which operated a number of gold mines in the Reefton area of the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. During a turbulent period in the history of the Reefton gold mines in 1912 Evans led the company in a bitterly fought six month strike - at the end of which he introduced new work practices which improved productivity substantially and are credited with ensuring the mines continued to operate over the next two decades when inflation increased prices in NZ by some 67 percent. Left New Zealand with the Rifle Brigade. Prior to joining the Expeditionary Force, he held a commission in the New Zealand Motor Service Corps. He arrived at the front during the great war in May 1916 and was awarded the D.S.O in the field. He married Edith Louise Foster of Limpsfield Surrey and had two children. He was awarded the D.S.O. for gallantry at Messines. ref. South African Roll of Honour 1914-1918.