The First World War
Officers of The Royal Canadian Regiment

Brevet Major Josiah Sherlock Marrington Arthur Haigh Lyne-Evans

Soldiers of the First World War database entry - J.S.M.A.H. Lyne-Evans

Capt. J.S.M.A.H. Lyne-Evans (1912)

Capt. J.S.M.A.H. Lyne-Evans, Valcartier Camp, 1912

Capt. J.S.M.A.H. Lyne-Evans (1920)

Capt. J.S.M.A.H. Lyne-Evans, Valcartier Camp, 1920

Service:

First World War Mentions in Despatches:

Canada's Historic Places - Carwarden

In 1910, Josiah Sherlocke Warrington (sic) Arthur Haigh Lyne-Evans engaged Leslie Fairn, then a local architect in Kings County, to design Carwarden. . . . Lyne-Evans was born in Haycock Parish, Lancashire, England and came to Nova Scotia around 1906, after leaving the army. He was a Second Lieutenant with the 17th Lancers. Around the time he came to Nova Scotia he married Florence Caroline. It is not sure whether they married in Britain or Canada, as there is no record of their marriage here. It is, however, almost certain that either Lyne-Evans or his wife came into money that paid for Carwarden, for it proved to be an expensive undertaking. Lyne-Evans paid $10,000 for 100 acres of farmland and another fourteen acres of dykeland.

Lyne-Evans decided to become a gentleman farmer in Kings County. Apparently though his money proved insufficient for this choice of lifestyle because in 1912, Lyne-Evans sold a half interest in the property for $1.00 to Stephen Henry Morris of HMCS Niobe, stationed in Halifax. In the arrangement, the Lyne-Evanses kept Carwarden.

In 1912, Lyne-Evans was also commissioned as an officer in the Royal Canadian Regiment, then stationed at the Halifax Citadel. He boarded at the Citadel's barracks until the outbreak of the First World War, when he was sent to France. By 1915 he commanded the 23rd Infantry Battalion and was wounded at the Second Battle of Ypres. He later suffered from shell shock and in 1917 he had to take sick leave because of a recurrence of trench fever. In 1919 he returned to Nova Scotia and two years later transferred to the reserves.

Major Lyne-Evans's Medal Group

In 2013, Major Lyne-Evans's medals were listed for sale on ebay. Excerpted text from the seller's item description and photos follow:

A nice Military Cross and Mentioned-in-Despatches group of four to Capt/Lt Col J.S.M.A.H. Lyne-Evans of The Royal Canadian Regiment. The Military Cross (M.C.) and British War Medal have frayed ribbons and the group is mounted as worn. The M.C. (identified in London Gazette (L.G.) Issue 23/6/15 is not named) and is one of the first of this decoration awarded and the first to The RCR. The 1914/15 star is named Capt. J.H. Lyne-Evans, 3/Can Inf: and the War & Victory (MID L.G. 22/6/15) medals are named Lt. Col. J.H. Lyne-Evans. Lt Col Lyne-Evans had previous service with the 17th Lancers (no medals) and joined The RCR 2/2/1912. While the The RCR did garrison duty in Bermuda the 1st Contingent, CEF, was preparing to head overseas and Lyne-Evans was seconded to the 12th Canadian Infantry as Captain and Adjutant in 1914. His MC and MID were awarded while he was with the 3rd Can Inf and he was wounded in the Second Battle of Ypres as mentioned on page199 and 208 of the Regiment's history, The Royal Canadian Regiment 1883-1933 by R.C. Fetherstonhaugh. He is also mentioned in the book, The Official Story of The Canadian Expeditionary Force Vol 1. on page 99 as having gone out into no man's land with a volunteer to rescue Captain Muntz. If I read this correctly, this rescue was during the battle of Festubert. Although Lyne-Evans was awarded his MC on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday (no citation) it is likely that his actions in battle warranted some notice.

Medals awarded to Lieut - Lt Vol Lyne-Evans, M.C., as presented for sale on ebay (2013).

Medals awarded to Lieut / Lt Col Lyne-Evans, M.C., as presented for sale on ebay (2013).
Photo by ebay seller.

Naming on the 1914-15 Star awarded to Lieut Lyne-Evans.

Naming on the 1914-15 Star awarded to Lieut Lyne-Evans.