Frederick John Evans – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Sandhurst

Steward’s Boy Frederick John Evans – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Sandhurst

Birth and Family Background

Frederick John Evans was born in 1902 in Swansea, the son of John William Evans and Sarah Evans.

1911 Census

The only census record in which Frederick appears is the 1911 Census, when the family were residing at 9 Charles Street, Porth, Rhondda. His father, John William Evans, aged 47 and born in Carmarthenshire, was employed as an agent for a tobacco manufacturer, while his mother Sarah, aged 42 and born in Aberdare, managed the household.

Their children were Esther Gwendoline (19), Mary Louise (15), a dressmaking apprentice; Frederick John (9); Dorothy Linda (7); Thomas (3); David Henry (2); and Sarah Lillian, aged four months.

Mercantile Marine Service and Death

During the First World War, Frederick served with the Mercantile Marine, holding the rank of Steward’s Boy aboard the S.S. Sandhurst.

The S.S. Sandhurst was built by Blyth Shipbuilding Company Ltd., Blyth, in 1897, and at the time of her loss was owned by Britain Steamship Company Ltd. (Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd.), London. She was a British steamship of 3,034 tons.

On 6^th May 1918, Sandhurst was on a voyage from Bilbao to Ardrossan, carrying a cargo of iron ore, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UB-72. The sinking occurred approximately six miles north-west by west a quarter west of Corsewall Point. Twenty members of the crew were lost.

Frederick John Evans 
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Frederick John Evans was among those who lost their lives. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which honours members of the Merchant Navy who died during the First World War and have no known place of burial.