Reuben Thomas EVANS

Regimental number2365
Place of birthAdelaide, South Australia
Other NamesRuben
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
Address121 Sturt Street, Adelaide, South Australia
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation32
Height6' 2.5"
Weight183 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs Grace Mary Evans, 121 Sturt Street, Adelaide, South Australia
Previous military serviceServed in the 9th Australian Commonwealth Horse, South Africa.
Enlistment date26 March 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll26 March 1915
Place of enlistmentKeswick, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name10th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/27/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A61 Kanowna on 23 June 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll10th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 19 March 1916
Discharge date20 April 1916
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Demosthenes', 19 March 1916 (as 'undesirable'); disembarked Adelaide, 19 April 1916; discharged (disciplinary reasons), Adelaide, 20 April 1916.

Memorandum, Commandant, 4th Military District, to Base Records, Melbourne, 12 June 1923: 'This man enlisted on the 22nd March, 1915, and proceeded abroad. He was, however, returned to Australia as undesirable and was discharged on the 20th April, 1916. Ex-Private EVANS states the reason for his return for disciplinary reasons was on account of his refusing operation. Ex-Pte. Evans has a family of five children, and has been refused assistance by the S.A. Soldiers' Fund on account of his War Record ... Should his assertion that he was returned on account of refusing operation be correct, it is recommended that his Discharge Certificate which now reads "Being returned from Egypt for disciplinary reasons", be amended to:- "On account of having refused operation."

Base Records to Adjutant General, 21 June 1923: ' ... an operation was advised and declined by the soldier in question and the refusal was consideraed to be unreasonable. It is observed, however ... that the soldier had already undergone, since childhood, five operations on account of hernia ... It is suggested that the reason for discharged should be amended to read "his services being no longer required" ... and that the words "Refused Operation" be added, as an explanation.' Amendment approved, memo, 3 July 1923.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death21 May 1925
Age at death42
Place of burialAIF Cemetery (Row 7 East, Grave No. 15 North), West Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia
SourcesNAA: B2455, EVANS Reuben Thomas