Evans, Mervyn

Mervyn Evans was born at Opunake on 26 January 1916. After being educated at Central School and New Plymouth Boy's High School he trained as an optician before working, and then becoming a partner, at New Plymouth’s Woodleigh Nurseries.

He enlisted in the NZRAF in December 1939 and after training in New Zealand and promotion to the rank of Sergeant he was sent to the United Kingdom in August 1940. He was transferred to 40 Squadron and became a Pilot and Captain of Wellington Bomber aircraft. In July 1941 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for “great leadership skill and determination” during an attack of a dock at Rotterdam.

He was killed in action on 24 July 1941 during a mission against a German battleship in Brest harbour. His body was recovered and was buried in Kerfautras Cemetery. Mervyn’s brother, Llewellyn Evans, was later killed in action in North Africa on 18 December 1942.

Books

Lest we Forget: a tribute by New Plymouth Boy's High School, New Plymouth, to the 227 men of the School who died while serving their Country during the Second World War, 1939-1945, by Jack West, TRCT940.5467 WES