Penrhyncoch Survivors (1914 - 1919) : Gnr. Evan Richard Hughes

Gunner Evan Richard Hughes, 100th Siege Bty., Royal Garrison Artillery.  Service Number:-  186601.

Evan Richard Hughes was born on 3rd May 1894 near the village of Talybont and was raised by his maternal grandparents, farmer Lewis Hughes and his wife, Jane.  In 1911, he is listed as a farm servant, age 16, still living with his grandparents at Tynant near Talybont, Cardiganshire.  He briefly worked as a lead miner before heading to South Wales to work as a coal miner.  Evan enlisted to serve in the Army Reserve at Mountain Ash, South Wales, on 10th December 1915.

After more than two years in the Reserve, he was called up to serve in the Royal Garrison Artillery.  Evan served in France from April 1918 until September 1918 when he was injured by shrapnel wounds to his legs, one forearm and his back, and was invalided back to Britain.  He received medical attention for six months at the Military Hospital in Leeds before being discharged from the Army.  It would appear that his wartime injuries, particularly to his left leg, caused him significant discomfort and it is interesting to note correspondence that is in the possession of his family indicating that Evan was in discussion with the authorities for a number of years after the War regarding compensation for his injuries.

In 1923, Evan married Augusta Crane Curtis who was originally from Varteg, located near Pontypool in South Wales.  They initially lived in   Glyneath, Glamorganshire, but during the 1930s they moved to the London area.  In 1939 Evan and Augusta are recorded living in Surbiton.  Evan is listed as gardener whilst his wife is listed as a civic nursing assistant at Kingston Hospital.  They later lived at Sunbury-on-Thames.

In the 1950s they returned to live in Penrhyncoch, near Aberystwyth and Evan worked as the head gardener at the Welsh Plant Breeding Station until he retired.  He died on 16th April 1980 at the age of 85.  His wife had predeceased him in 1961, aged 68, and they were both buried in St. John’s Churchyard in Penrhyncoch.  They did not have any children of their own but were survived by a number of nieces and nephews, two of whom continue to live in the Aberystwyth area.

Blog by project volunteer Rab Jones
Source: Personal papers in possession of Mr Ceredig Evans, nephew