A COMMEMORATIVE stone is to be unveiled in Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, on Wednesday, October 4, to mark the 100-year anniversary of the action which resulted in a Ceredigion soldier receiving the Victoria Cross for his gallantry in the First World War.

Brigadier General Lewis Pugh Evans showed ‘most conspicuous bravery and leadership’ at Zonnebeke, Belgium and has, to date, been the only Ceredigion-born soldier to be awarded this prestigious medal from the First World War to this day.

The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy for British and Commonwealth Forces.

Brigadier Lewis Pugh Evans, who was born in Abermad in 1881, whose family home became Lovesgrove, Llanbadarn Fawr, is one of the most highly decorated Welsh officers of the First World War having being awarded the Distinguished Service Order & Bar; he was also mentioned in dispatches seven times, the Order of Leopold (Belgium) and the Croix de Guerre (France).

Brigadier Evans was educated at Eton and entered the army after training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Following a year at Sandhurst, Brigadier Evans entered the British Army with a commission in the Black Watch, with whom he served in the Second Boer War in South Africa.

After service with his regiment in India, Brigadier Evans returned to England and obtained a pilot's licence and when the First World War broke out in 1914 he was posted as an air observer with the Royal Flying Corps.

However, after a few months Brigadier Evans returned to the Black Watch and in 1917 was appointed to command the First Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment.

On October 4, 1917 near Zonnebeke, Belgium, Brigadier Evans was by now an acting Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding the 1st Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment.

In his citation, it is noted that Colonel Evans, while observing that an enemy machine gun emplacement was causing casualties, rushed at it firing his revolver and forced the gun position to surrender.

After capturing this objective he was severely wounded in the shoulder but refused to be bandaged. He re-formed the troops, pointed out another objective and again led his battalion forward.

He received more wounds in this charge forward but continued to command until the second objective was won. After these brave, heroic efforts he collapsed from loss of blood and he was removed to a first aid station.

Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn, leader of Ceredigion County Council said: “We are priviliged to be able to mark this anniversary with such a moving ceremony. The commemorative stone is a way of providing a public and lasting legacy in honour of Brigadier General Lewis Pugh Evans and will enable the residents of Ceredigion to gain a greater understanding of Brigadier General Lewis Pugh Evans’ bravery during the First World War.”

The Memorial Stone will be unveiled by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, Sara Edwards, and is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

County Councils across the Country have been asked to honour Victoria Cross recipients from the First World War by the laying of commemorative stones. The ceremony will include a parade starting at 2pm on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, together with a ceremony of dedication at the War Memorial, Llanbadarn Fawr, which the public are invited to attend.

Brigadier General Evans’ grandson Christopher Evans said: “I am delighted that Ceredigion is honouring my grandfather.

These memorials will be an additional reminder that we and future generations will not forget the First World War, or the courage of all those who took part.

“My grandfather said he was a lucky man, lucky to have survived the war and lucky to be selected and recognised by the award of a Victoria Cross though I believe he felt there were others who went beyond the call of duty in actions that may have not been recognised.

“Although he died over 50 years ago there must be quite a few who remember him. I hope as many of those who are able to will attend the occasion.”