page_title: St Padarn's Church, Llanbadarn Fawr
section_title: Lewis Pugh Evans
hierarchical_section_title: St Padarn's Church, Llanbadarn Fawr / Churchyard / Lewis Pugh Evans
caption_attribution_description: Photograph of Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Pugh Evans VC.
context_page_description: Saint Padarn's Church is a parish church of the Church in Wales, and the largest mediaeval church in mid-Wales.
  Founded in the early sixth century, St Padarn's Church has gone through many changes, from a Welsh monastic centre, a Benedictine priory, a clas again, a royal rectory, a church controlled by Chester's Vale Royal Abbey, and since 1538 a parish church under a vicar. It is at Llanbadarn Fawr, near Aberystwyth, in Ceredigion, Wales, United Kingdom.
context_section_description: Brigadier-General Lewis Pugh Evans, of Lovesgrove, a World War I Victoria Cross recipient and former churchwarden, is buried in the churchyard. His grave is marked by a simple slate headstone giving names and dates of birth and death. He was a kinsman of Major-General Lewis Pugh, who is commemorated in the south transept. Evans was awarded the VC when, as an acting Lieutenant Colonel in The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), on 4 October 1917, near Zonnebeke, Belgium, he was Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment: 
  For most conspicuous bravery and leadership. Lt.-Col. Evans took his battalion in perfect order through a terrific enemy barrage, personally formed up all units, and led them to the assault. While a strong machine gun emplacement was causing casualties, and the troops were working round the flank, Lt.-Col. Evans rushed at it himself and by firing his revolver through the loophole forced the garrison to capitulate. After capturing the first objective he was severely wounded in the shoulder, but refused to be bandaged, and re-formed the troops, pointed out all future objectives, and again led his battalion forward. Again badly wounded, he nevertheless continued to command until the second objective was won, and, after consolidation, collapsed from loss of blood. As there were numerous casualties, he refused assistance, and by his own efforts ultimately reached the Dressing Station.
  His example of cool bravery stimulated in all ranks the highest valour and determination to win.
  Evans was mentioned in despatches seven times and was awarded the DSO and Bar, the Order of Leopold (Belgium) and the French Croix de Guerre. He was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1919, and a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1938.
  He was a Justice of the Peace on the local bench as well as Deputy Lieutenant for Cardiganshire and a Freeman of the borough of Aberystwyth. He was also an Officer of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem.
  His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.
  Since 1991 a memorial plaque has been on the wall near the village war memorial.
caption: Lewis Pugh Evans, VC
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