The A.F.C. awarded to Captain L. L. M. Evans, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who wa...

The A.F.C. awarded to Captain L. L. M. Evans, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who was killed as a result of an engine failure whilst flying an experimental aircraft from France to England, 9 May 1919, ‘It is difficult to imagine a more tragic situation than that of those three men, uninjured and not drowned, but drifting in their life­ belts for hours up and down the Channel holding each other up as they died from exhaustion one after another, and were found next morning’ Air Force Cross, G.V.R., in John Pinches case of issue, this with remnants of original named label on underneath, Mint £1,000-£1,400 --- A.F.C. London Gazette 3 June 1918. Llewellyn Lewis Meredith Evans was born in November 1897, and was the son of the Vicar of Brightlingsea, Essex. He was educated at St. Cuthbert’s College, Nottinghamshire, and was a Corporal in the O.T.C. Evans cut short his studies at Cambridge, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps in May 1916. He gained his ‘Wings’ in a Maurice Farman Biplane at the Military School in Birmingham, 6 July 1916, and carried out further training as a pilot at C.F.S., Upavon. Evans was employed as an Instructor and Flight Commander at various training squadrons and establishments (A.F.C.). He advanced to Temporary Captain in March 1918, and transferred to the Royal Air Force the following month. Evans was killed in a flying accident, 9 May 1919, in the English Channel near Dover while flying an experimental aircraft from France to England. The following is an extract from his college magazine, 'The Cuthbertian', September 1919 issue No 2: 'It was a great shock to all of us to read in the papers last May that Ll. L. M. Evans was one of the three airmen who were drowned so tragically in the Channel. Evans was Captain of the School during the Last Term of 1915, during which he won a History Exhibition at Magdalene College, Cambridge. The following quotation is taken from the letter of a Priest who knew him since infancy and had been a life-long friend. "In Lllewellyn Evans, S. Cuthbert's has indeed suffered the loss of one of its brightest and best. It is difficult to imagine a more tragic situation than that of those three men, uninjured and not drowned, but drifting in their life­ belts for hours up and down the Channel holding each other up as they died from exhaustion one after another, and were found next morning. To say exactly where his charm lay would be difficult, but it was chiefly, I think in his undisguised eagerness,and in the unaffected delight he took in everybody and everything." A few days before his death, he had announced his intention of giving up flying on the first opportunity, for he had begun to feel the tremendous strain on his nerves, and of preparing himself for holy orders which had been the ambition of his life. The School has lost one of its best sons, a standing tribute to her influence. The Church on earth has lost an ideal priest. His friends have last one whom it was a joy to have ever met. The very world is the poorer. That is to be set on the other side. His own gain, doubtless, and for us a fragrant and unsullied memory, with a lively hope of meeting him again.’ Captain Evans was buried at Springfield Holy Trinity Churchyard, Essex, and is commemorated on the Chelmsford War Memorial. Sold with the following related items and documents: a selection of items cut from recipient’s tunic including Royal Flying Corps cloth Wings, with A.F.C. horizontal striped riband underneath; 7 R.F.C. Buttons and 2 R.F.C. Collar Badges; R.A.F. Cadet Brigade bronze medal, in case of issue; War Office letter addressed to recipient at The Park, Brightlingsea, Essex, informing him of his selection for appointment as Second Lieutenant on probation in the R.F.C., dated 15 May 1916; Camp Kit List sent in conjunction with the latter letter; and 4 Photographs, including one of recipient in uniform.