Evans, Thomas Govan
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Thomas Govan |
Surname | Evans |
Gender | M |
Age | 26 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 29-06-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of William Evans and Eunice Mary Evans (née Harries), of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | LW717 |
Markings | ZA-W |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Feigneux Communal Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Mil. Row. Grave 6. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 162 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/86832 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 10 |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Evans Hill, Manitoba; 3km north of Shannon Lake |
Country | Canada |
Memorial Type | Hill |
Memorial Text |
Location | Melbourne, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Memorial Stone & Plaque |
Memorial Text | No 10 Squadron, 4 Group Bomber Command, WWII 1939-1945. This memorial was erected at the entrance to the former RAF Station Melbourne by ex Members and Friends of the Squadron to honour the memory of all personnel who died in the service of their Country |
Location | Melbourne Airfield, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Runway Light in Concrete Base |
Memorial Text | Let this landing light be a memorial to all those 1,000 aircrew and 120 aircraft that left this very point never to return so that we may return again and again in freedom to enjoy York Motor Sport Park |
Miscellaneous Information
Thomas was born at Winnipeg, Manitoba on 22 April 1918. Both parents were born in Wales and his father is a retired electrician. He had brothers David W., G. Arthur. and L. Royan, and a sister Eunice. He went to school at Mulvey (1925-1934) and Gordon Bell (1934-1937). He then went to Angus School of Commerce between 1938-1939 as well as the University of Manitoba (1938-1939) studying Mineralogy (all in Winnipeg). His sport interests were hockey, tennis, swimming and diving. Thomas worked at Blackstone Rental as an Invoice Clerk, 1938-1940 and then at McDonald’s Aircraft as a mechanic for three months, 1940-1941. He was a Bookkeeper at Central Patricia Gold Mines during 1941 and then became an Orderly at the General Hospital from 1941 until enlistment on 27 September 1941. He spent one month with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. |
After initial training in Canada, Thomas embarked from New York on 9 March 1943, arriving in the U.K. at 3PRC on 18 March. He then went to 2 (0) AFU on 24 May 1943, 20 OTU 22 June 1943, 1658 CU 17 September 1943, and 10 Squadron on 7 January 1944. Thomas was to lose his life on 29 June 1944. |
Evans Hill, north of Shannon Lake was re-named after P/O Thomas Govan Evans in 1995. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/145/12 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/145/11 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 28-06-1944 |
End Date | 29-06-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Melbourne |
Day/Night Raid | Night (53% moon) |
Operation | Blainville- to attack railway yards. Part of a 230 strong bomber force to attack railway installations at both Blainville and Metz. Both targets were hit but 20 aircraft were Lost (8.7%) |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed near Feigneux, France |