Alec Forsyth Evans

Alec Forsyth Evans was born in 1887 at Redfern. He died in February 1921, aged 34 [1].

 He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs George T Evans of Girrahween, Lauderdale Avenue, Manly, and the grandson of Archibald Forsyth of Randwick, a rope manufacturer and one-time MLA. George T Evans was Commissioner for Stores for NSW Railways.Alec was a mechanic and assembler in civilian life.

He enlisted in September 1915, and initially served in the 16th Reinforcements, 2nd Battalion. He disembarked Suez on 1 May 1916.

He served in France in 1916, but was admitted to Perham Downs Hospital on 14 July 1916 for 39 days with venereal disease. He served in France in 1917, and was a wheeler with the 10th Army Service Corps from 17 April 1917. He developed bronchitis and breathing difficulties, and was returned to Australia on the Kanownain August 1919.

He was hospitalized at Randwick VD Hospital on 4 November 1919 and later transferred to Manly Cottage Hospital to be closer to his family. He died on 1 February 1921 of ‘mitral incompetency’.

He was buried at Coogee Two of his brothers also served in WWI; we have a photo of Keith Forsyth Evans.

[1] Sydney Morning Herald 2nd February 1921, p12.