Evenett F C Sergt 820672 18th London Regiment
SERGEANT FRANCIS CUTHBERT EVENNETT, London Regiment, was born on 22 April 1870. He was educated at St. Charles’s College, Bayswater, and later studied at the English College, Lisbon. He became a Member of the Stock Exchange in 1899, and when the war broke out was a partner in the firm of Thomas Carmichael and Co.
He served for 15 years with the Queen Victoria’s Rifles, retiring a Sergeant with the Territorial Efficiency Medal in 1913. as Concurrently he took an active interest in the Catholic Boys’ Brigade and commanded the Kensal Company of the Westminster Battalion for many years. Later he became Captain and Adjutant of this Battalion.
It was in this capacity that, although 44 years of age at the time, he joined a Company (specially recruited from the Catholic Boys’ Brigade) of the 2/18th Battalion, London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) and became a Sergeant. He met his death under tragic circumstances near Clacton-on-Sea on 13 July 1917.
His Company Commander in the London Irish Rifles wrote: Francis Evennett showed a grand example of patriotism. He joined up despite his family ties, his business, his age and infirmity (for he was greatly handicapped with severe rheumatism although he carried on) in order to give a lead to the Catholic lads with whom he joined the ranks early in September 1914. I know that none of the attractions of military life swayed him, and of him can it literally be said ‘He died for God and King.’
Source : The Stock Exchange War Memorial 1914-1918