hertfordshire

Born 24th March 1897. The youngest of his parents two children.The 1901 census records him living at 288 Pentonville Road, Islington, London, with his parents Herbert Snr. [b.1855 Flamstead, Herts.] Rose Mary[b.1863 Merthyr, Glamorganshire] and his older sister Marjorie [b.1895 London]. His father is recorded as a self employed keeping a Hosiery shop. Also living with the family is his maternal grandmother and two domestic servants. The 1911 census records the family still living at the same address but now with only one domestic servant. An entry in the London Gazette of 25th July 1916 states that as of 7th July of that year, he was to be posted from 2 Officer Cadet Btn. as temporary Lt. With the Royal Flying Corps. He is buried in Vaulx Hill Cemetery, Vaulx - Vraucourt, France. His medals and Memorial Plaque [death penny] were sold at auction for £600 in June 2002. The catalogue information reasds; “Second Lieutenant (Observer) H. E. Arnold, No. 5 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, formerly Royal Fusiliers, killed in aerial combat on 26 December 1916, the third victim of the German ace, Hans Bethge 1914-15 Star (6573 Pte., R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut.); together with memorial plaque (Herbert Edward Arnold)”.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has following entry for this soldier Rank:Lieutenant Date of Death: 04/10/1918 Age: 25 Regiment/Service:Royal Scots Fusiliers 3rd Bn. attd. 3rd Bn. Royal Fusiliers Grave Reference C. 25. Cemetery GUIZANCOURT FARM CEMETERY, GOUY Additional Information: Son of the late Evan Alcock Nepean and of Evelyn Maud Nepean, of Verulam Lodge, 24, Church Crescent, St. Albans. Born at Woodfield, Hatfield, Herts.

This officer is related to Evelyn Charles Yorke St Vincent Nepean RFA who is also included in this IWM portfolio. Evelyn Charles Yorke St Vincent Nepean's father, St Vincent Nepean, b. 1844, and Evan Alcock Nepean's grandfather, Sir Even Colville Nepean, b. 1836, were brothers; sons of the Reverend Cannon Evan Nepean, b. 1800. //

excellent shot

In 1911 Evan was alone in the house with his father at 27a Sloane Square, now a branch of Kookai (!) maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=27a+sloane+square&ba.... There were 3 servants: a Nurse, a Cook and a Maid. The Great War Forum 1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=45157 has this on 3rd Royal Fusiliers: On 4th Oct 18 they had been in France since 14th July and, after training, marched to the front as part of 149th Brigade, 50th Division. They had marched overnight on the 3rd october and at 6.10am the following morning they advanced between Le Catelet and Vendhuile upon a redoubt at Richmond Copse. They had to move down the slope to the Scheldt Canal and then up the slope on the other side. They were enfiladed from both flanks, from Le Catelet and Vendhuile, but reached their objective at 7.30am. Finding themselves isolated they withdrew nearly to the start line. They took over 300 prisoners including several machine gun teams and the 4/KRRC later advanced over the same ground with very few casualties. They lost 9 officers killed, including Nicholson and Nepean; 2 officers wounded; and 139 other tanks casualties. The regimental history of the RF suggests this was the highest number of officers killed in one action by any battalion of the RF. Evan Cecil Nepean is listed on www.thepeerage.com thepeerage.com/p23884.htm Also in the War Graves Photographic Project twgpp.org/information.php?id=2271370 Evan is listed in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour Vol 5 which states that he was killed at Le Catelet and quotes a 'brother officer' who wrote: "He was one of the bravest gentlemen that ever wore the King's uniform, and his death has been felt more than anybody's. He was a grand character, brave, loyal and courteous, always thinking of his men's comfort." Another said: "His loss is very great, he was so popular, and such a good soldier. He has always done well - his best. He was cheerful in all circumstances, and gallant in danger beyond anything. We have lost one of our best, one of the type we most wanted to be spared." The Chaplain wrote: "Though he probably did not know it, he was a great help to me spiritually." St Alban's, High Street War Memorial www.roll-of-honour.com/Hertfordshire/StAlbansHighStreet.html The London Gazette 2 Apr 1915 www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29118/pages/3255/page.pdf 10484 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 23 OCTOBER, 1915 shows him as Second Lieutenant (on probation) www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29337/supplements/10484/p... Given his Christian name he is probably related to Sir Evan Nepean (c.1752-1822) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Nepean and thus loosely connected to the actor Hugh Grant!

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