Thomas Dixon Bryon Evans (1860 – 1908)
Thomas Evans was born at Hamilton, Ontario. He joined the 43rd (Ottawa and Carleton) Rifles in 1880 and was promoted to captain and adjutant in 1884. He served with the Midland Battalion in the North-West Rebellion in 1885. In 1888, he joined Canada’s Permanent Force, serving with the infantry, mounted rifles, and cavalry. He commanded the Canadian cavalry contingent in England for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897.1)
In 1898, Commander Evans was promoted to lieutenant-colonel to command the Yukon Field Force.2) He was instructed to lead his men into the Yukon via an all-Canadian route.3) The Yukon Field Force constituted about a quarter of Canada’s standing army. Five mountain peaks along the route travelled by the Yukon Field Force have been named for members in the unit: Colonel Evans and four men who died on active service: Cpl. G. Hansen, Cpl. M. Watson, Pte. H. Walters and Gnr. J. Corcoran.4)
Evans had just returned to his regular post in Winnipeg in October 1899 when the South African War broke out. He went to the Boer War as second-in-command of the 1st Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles (later renamed the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He was appointed as acting command of the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles, when the commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel L.W. Herchmer fell ill. Evans’ command position was confirmed in August 1900 and the battalion was renamed the 1st Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles. The battalion carried out some successful actions under his command, including the seizure of a key hill at Leliefontein in November 1900.5)
In 1902, Evans returned to South Africa in command of the six-squadron-strong 2nd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles. His command was again very creditable, notably the action at Harts River in March. Evans had an open and friendly manner, but he was an extremely effective commanding officer, and has been called the outstanding Canadian soldier of his generation.6)
Several Yukon officers who served in the Boer War have been immortalized by street names and parks in South Africa. They include Major A. M. Jarvis, Major A. E. Snyder, Major Evans, and General R. Belcher.7)
Lieutenant-Colonel Evans was appointed District Office Commanding at Winnipeg in 1907. He fell ill and died in the following summer.8)