Bugler Billy Evans

[Mimble]

A friend has this little service book belonging presumably to an ancestor, with Service Book for Members of the English Church; Active Citizen Force South Africa 1914 printed on the cover. It also has handwriting on the cover:
Bugler Billy Evans
A1944
D.E.O.R.
Karibib & Windhoek
Presented by National Bank of South Africa
In faint pencil is written July 11, 1915

It was apparently a Thanksgiving Service after the surrender of German South West Africa on 9 July 1915. Inside is another name N W Fogarty. DEOR is the Duke of Edinburgh 's Own Rifles.
My friend's father was Arthur Evans b. 4.7.1901 and his brother was Robert Evans b.3.3.1893, who died in 1916 in German East Africa. Their father was John Cadwalladr Evans b. 29.10.1857 in Dolgellau and their mother was Jane (Inglesby) m. 1891 in Cape Town. But who Billy was is a mystery.

[Andy J2022]

In the British Army buglers were usually junior soldiers, usually in infantry regiments, under the age of 18 who would, in time, become adult soldiers. On that basis, could Billy have been Arthur's nickname since he would have been aged around 14 at the time this document was issued, whereas his brother Robert would have been an adult soldier in 1915.

[CraigM63]

Inside is another name N W Fogarty

Looking at the South African records on FamilySearch, N W Fogarty is possibly Nelson Wellesley Fogarty, who was described as a Clerk in Holy Orders on his marriage to Alice Catherine Melville on 25 July 1899 at Burgersdorp, Albert, Cape Province, South Africa. At the time of his marriage he was aged 27, so born in 1871/72. He subsequently died on 8 April 1933 aged 61, at Sea Point, Cape District. His death notice also includes the information that he was born in Canterbury, England, the son of John Evans Fogerty and Mary Anne Fogerty, formerly Mills, and that there were six children from his marriage to Alice Melville, all having reached the age of majority and all still living at the time.

Searching on his name will produce quite a wealth of information online, Wikipedia informing us that he served as a chaplain with the Union Defence Forces in German South-West Africa in 1915, which then gives you a link to the bible. Unfortunately I can't help you with Billy Evans though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Fogarty

https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp132507/nelson-wellesley-fogarty

[ShaunJ]

You could try contacting the Department of Defence Archives at the South African Military Records Centre in Pretoria ( email at sandfdoc@mweb.co.za).

[Mimble]

Thank you for all your replies and help. I have passed the information to my friend who is very appreciative.