David Douglas Evans

This story is shared with the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher.

David Douglas Evans was born on the 8th January 1925 in the Pontardawe registration district which spans the boundaries of the counties of Breconshire and Glamorgan. He was the son of John & Mary Gertrude Evans (née Williams) who had married in the September quarter of 1922 in the Merthyr Tydfil registration district.

The 1911 census tells us that Mary Gertrude and her sister, Elvina Williams, were orphans, their mother having died in 1908 and their father having died in 1909. Mary and Elvina were living with their grandparents, Thomas & Anne Williams at Pelican Street, Ystradgynlais Lower, Breconshire. Incidentally, John Evans is seen living with his parents, Rees & Jane Evans and siblings in Pelican Street, Ystradgynlais on the 1901 census!

We see the family first time on the 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939. The family were living at 5, Hos Carebont, Abercrane, Caehopkin. John Evans was working as a Colliery Screenworker (Above Ground), Mary Evans was doing unpaid domestic duties and their children were David D. Evans who was working as a Colliery Hewer (Helper) Heavy Worker and Henry Stuart Evans who was at school. There were 3 redacted or closed records who were probably younger children.

Sadly, I have no further information on David Evans, neither his early or teen years and I do not know when he was to enlist or was conscripted but he was to find himself fighting on D-Day and laid down his life for our freedom.

He joined the Royal Air Force and his final posting was to No 12 Operational Training Unit, Chipping Warden where he was crewed up on the 13th June and began training on Wellington bombers prior to his posting to an operational squadron. But he was killed on the night of 25th/26th August. The crew had been tasked with a diversion operation over Normandy, acting as a decoy to draw attention away from the true target. Looking at the other losses that day the target was Kiel with some aircraft attacking Konigsberg and a mine laying operation. They took off from Chipping Warden but when returning from their sortie they strayed off track and dived into the ground at Uplands Lane, Keynshaw, 5 miles SE from the centre of Bristol. All the crew were killed.

News of his death was published in the South Wales Voice on the 2nd September.

CAE'RBONT AIRMAN KILLED
A gloom was cast over the Ystradgynlais district by the news that Sergeant Airgunner David Douglas Evans son of Lieut. John Evans Home Guard and Mrs. Evans of 5, Isyrhos, Cae'rbont had met his death in a flying accident in this country.
Joining the RAF from the ATC he gained rapid promotion and was due to commence training for a commission. He wrote home quite recently that he was looking forward to 6 weeks leave.
The funeral took place at Ystradgynlais parish churchyard on Thursday, and a report will appear in our next issue.

The report of his funeral was published in the South Wales Voice on the 16th September and he was buried in Ystradgynlais Churchyard, Brecon.

YSTRADGYNLAIS MILITARY FUNERAL
The Military funeral of Sergeant Air Gunner David Douglas Evans, son of Lieutenant (Home Guard) and Mrs. John Evans, 5, Isyrhos, Ystradgynlais, whose death in an accident was reported in a recent issue, took place on Thursday, 31st August at Ystradgynlais Churchyard. The ATC and Home Guard, together with Ystalyfera ATC Band attended. Flight Lieutenant C.B.H. Lewis, Pontardawe and P/O C.F. Hunt, Ystalyfera, were also present.

Officiating were the Revs D.L. Williams, rector, and D.O. Jones and T.W. Davies, curates; Madam Carrie Walters-Herbert was the organist.

A firing party was provided by the Home Guard and the Last Post was sounded at the grave. Members of the ATC were the bearers.

The mourners were: Messrs J. Evans, father; Harry and Wyndham Evans, brothers; Flying Officer P. Hearn; Messrs D, Williams, Tom Evans, W.P. Thomas, Wm Williams, Lewis Williams, David Jones, uncles (...)

At the house were Mrs J. Evans, mother; Betty, Margaret and Gwyneth Evans, sisters; Mrs W.P. Thomas, Mrs H. Evans, aunts (...)

Floral tributes were from Mam, Dad, Brothers and Sisters; Aunti Hetty, John and Beryl; Uncle Tom and family, Nelson; Bopa, Treharris; David John, Lluest; Auntie Annie and family, Bryn Road; Auntie Mary and family, Pelican; Auntie Jenkins, Phil, Glen and Glan

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of David Evans. If you are aware of one, or are related to David, we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.