United Kingdom. A Boer War and First World War Chaplain Pair to Reverend Geoffrey Maynard Evans, Military Cross and KIA

A pair of medals for Boer War and First World War service to Geoffrey Maynard Evans, including a Queen’s South Africa Medal, with South Africa 1902 and Cape Colony clasps, dedicated to “LIEUTENANT G.M. EVANS LEICESTER: REGT.”, and a Victory Medal, dedicated to “REV. G.M. EVANS”, both names officially impressed, the Queen’s South Africa Medal demonstrating some toning and the Victory Medal mounted for display, in overall extremely fine condition and accompanied by facsimile paperwork and photographs.

Footnote: Geoffrey Maynard Evans was born on 22 June 1882 in Harwich, Essex, to parents Samuel and Eleanor Sophia (née Burmester). After a distinguished academic career, he delayed theological training to enter service in the Boer War, where he served with the Leicestershire Militia and received the Queen’s South Africa Medal with two clasps. He later obtained a commission in the 1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment, and saw service in South Africa, Egypt, and England. Evans retired in 1911 and, returning to theological studies, entered Bishops’ College, Cheshunt, to prepare for ordination. He was ordained a Deacon in October 1913 by the Bishop of London, and was appointed a full priest of the Church of England in October 1914. Maynard received a commission with the Army Chaplains’ Department on 19 May 1915, and was attached to the Worcestershire Regiment. Deployed to France and Belgium with the British Expeditionary Force, Evans once again served with distinction, with commentary noting “He was an ideal Chaplain to the troops, and was simply worshipped by the men. He knew just how to deal with them, and there wasn’t a man in either battalion to which he ministered who could help being affected by his courage and energy, cheerfulness, and total absence of side.” Appropriately, Evans received the Military Cross (London Gazette for 5 June 1917) for “gallant and distinguished service in the field.” Tragically, his service was cut short when, on 11 August 1917 at the age of 35, he was killed by shell fire in a frontline trench while speaking with soldiers. Further to the accompanying medals and absent Military Cross, Evans was entitled to a full trio.