Distinguished Conduct Medal , trio & Memorial Plaque, Coldstream Guards, a fine award annotated for ‘Richebourg March 1915. Cuinchy June [1915], Vermelles Cambrin, July 1915.’ and additionally for and has three times, as bombing instructor, saved men’s lives by throwing away bombs which have been accidentally dropped being severely wounded in the act. Also three times wounded at 1st Ypres, later attached to the West African Frontier Force and killed in action , on 16 October 1917, at the battle of Mahiwa, German East Africa. The battle was noted by the British Official History as the “most disastrous day for the Nigerian Army since the formation of the force” and was called “the most savage battle in the history of African conflict-not excluding Omdurman or any engagement of the Boer War.”

Distinguished Conduct Medal, (GV) (Sjt. 1/C. Gds.), 1914/15 Star ( L. Cpl.  C. Gds:), British War Medal,  Victory Medal ( Sjt. W. E. Evans. C. Gds.)  Memorial Plaque (William Ernest Evans),

W. E. Evans

D.C.M. London Gazette 14 /1/1916; citation published 11 March 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry. He has several times by zeal and enterprise carried out successful bombing operations against the enemy, and has three times, as bombing instructor, saved men’s lives by throwing away bombs which have been accidentally dropped. He has been severely wounded in the execution of his duties.’
Annotated gazette states: ‘Richebourg March 1915. Cuinchy June [1915], Vermelles Cambrin, July 1915.’

From presumably the Burnley Express, (2 entries both with photographic images)

Sergt.William Ernest Evans of the Coldstream Guards, is another Burnley Soldier who has made the great sacrific. A former cotton weaver at Mssrs Prestons Bishop, he identified with St. Andrews Church and Schools. He was a single man, 21 years of age, and was killed in action on October 16th.

Sergt Evans enlisted at Preston six years ago in East Lancashire Special Reserve and after twelve months training was transferred to the Coldstream Guards, six months later he was appointed a bombing instructor. He went out with a draft in December 1914, where early on he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He went through the First Ypres battle and was wounded on three occasions and for six weeks was in hospital in Ainwick. Recovering , he reported at his depot at Windsor, and in June, 1916  (sic) was awarded the D.C.M. The act which gained him the distinction was performed while he was acting at bombing instructor. He saved the lives of three men by throwing away bombs which had been accidentally dropped, and was severely wounded in the act.

The deceased soldier had also seen service in East Africa, being attached to the Nigeria Regiment, 4th Battalion, overseas contingent. The mother of Serjt. Evans resides at 53 , New hall Street, Burnley. ‘

Sergeant Evans was attached to the West African Frontier Force for service in German East Africa. 25 October 1916 It was whilst serving with the 4th Nigerian Regiment that he was killed in action at the battle of Mahiwa in German East Africa on 16 October 1917. Originally buried in the Mtama cemetery in Lindi Province, the graves from this and other remote cemeteries were consolidated in the Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery during the 1960s and ‘70s.

The Battle of Mahiwa between German and British Imperial forces was fought during the East African Campaign of World War I, when South African and Nigerian troops under Lieutenant General Jacob van Deventer engaged a column under German General Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck, at Mahiwa in German East Africa. The Germans inflicted substantial casualties upon Van Deventer’s army, forcing it to withdraw. However, the Germans lost a large percentage of their forces, and were ultimately forced to withdraw from their positions and continue their guerrilla war. The battle was noted by the British Official History as the “most disastrous day for the Nigerian Army since the formation of the force” and was called “the most savage battle in the history of African conflict-not excluding Omdurman or any engagement of the Boer War.”

With Kurt Wahle’s force at Nyangao separated from Lettow-Vorbeck’s main body, the British hatched a plan to cut off and surround Wahle’s column by flanking it with a force of Nigerians.[2] They would then commit a large body of soldiers on a frontal attack and encircle the force.

A force of three battalions of Nigerians was sent against Wahle’s troops at Nyangao and engaged him there on the 15th. Von Lettow-Vorbeck brought up reinforcements to Wahle and pitted his additional four companies against them. The Nigerians were soon threatened with encirclement and suffered severe casualties.

Sold with original memorial scroll (Serjt. William Ernest Evans, D.C.M. Coldstream Guards), and two Coldstream Guards cards regarding Evans’ service, together with copied research.