HOMEFRONT – Place / Occupation / Cambrian Railways WM / St Oswald’s Church Ralph Evans was the son of Ralph and Margaret Evans. He was second of four children: Ernest b. 1897, Ralph (HIM) born in January 1899, Bertram b. 1901 and Madge b. 1905. The family lived at the Old White Lion, Oakhurst Road where his father was the publican. Prior to enlisting Ralph had worked as a clerk in the Secretary’s office at the Cambrian Railway offices, He was also a member of the Church Club and had served as their treasurer.
Ralph joined up in September 1917 and was posted to 1/10 Bn King’s Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Scottish). He went over to France in the following January. He was KIA on 9 April 1918. He was killed during Operation Georgette, Kaiser Offensive. The battalion were in action near to Le Hamel, Bethune. On 9 April at 4.00am the battalion was ordered forward. As they moved up they came under heavy HE and gas shell fire – their War Diary records ‘Heavy casualties were sustained’. The shelling continued until mid-morning when the enemy attacked. The attack was driven off but casualties were many. Ralph was at first reported as missing but a few weeks later his parents received news from a Corporal in North Staffs Regiment saying their son had been killed by shrapnel. His body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial. He is also commemorated at St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry and on the Cambrian Railway Memorial, Cae Glas Park, Oswestry.
His elder brother, Ernest Evans, was also in the army but was serving in Ireland which, at about that time, was in a state of unrest following the Easter Rising and the fear of German lead insurrection.
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