Harold Lloyd Evans was born and brought up in Chelmsford. He worked in the Machine Shop of Christy & Norris' engineering works in Broomfield Road, Chelmsford before joining the Royal Air Force around 1942. He was killed in London by enemy action in August 1944. His home was in Eastern Crescent, Chelmsford.

Harold was born in Chelmsford in 1924, the second son of Thomas and Mary E. Evans who had married in 1921. Harold's siblings included Thomas R. Evans (born 1922) and John W. Evans (born 1925).

Harold's father served in the army during the First World War and as a Territorial he was recalled at the outbreak of the Second until he was invalided out.

During the Second World War Harold served as Aircraftman 2nd Class 1860673 in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

On 3rd August 1944 he was killed as a result of enemy action in Hendon, Middlesex, aged 20.

He had served in the R.A.F. for about two years. Previous to that he had been employed in the machine shop at Messrs Christy & Norris Ltd. in Chelmsford. His parents lived at 111 Eastern Crescent, Chelmsford. Harold’s commanding officer wrote to them, saying that his death was regretted by all ranks of his unit, of which he was a popular member, and he could always be relied upon to back up the war effort.

At the time of his death Harold’s elder brother, Thomas, was fighting in Normandy. Their father had served in the First World War and the Second World War until early 1943 when he was invalided out.

Harold was interred at Chelmsford Borough Cemetery (grave 5683) on 10th August 1943 following a service at the North Avenue Congregational Church conducted by the Rev. Herbert Stock.

A Chelmsford newspaper reported:

"YOUNG AIRMAN'S FUNERAL. The funeral took place on August 10 of A.C.2 Harold Lloyd Evans, aged 20, second son of Mr. and Mrs. T M. Evans, of 111 Eastern Crescent, who died in London as a result of enemy action.

Before joining H.M. Forces he was in the machine shop of Messrs. Christy and Norris, Ltd., and had been a member the 8th Chelmsford (North Avenue) Scouts and the A.T.C. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack. Service in North Avenue Congregational Church preceded ihe intermen. at Writtle

Road Cemetery, the Rev. Herbert Stock officiating.

The mourners were the parents; Mr. J. Evans, brother: Mr. R. Daltery, grandfather; Miss M. Daltery, Mrs. W. Alexander, aunts • Messrs. H. Daltery, W. Evans, and G. Bowler, uncles: and Mrs. Bevis. Mr. T. R. Evans (brother) being abroad with H.M. Forces, was unable to attend. An officer of the deceased's unit was present, and F.-O. S. Edgar (Adjutant) represented the Chelmsford A.T.C.; District Commissioner P. C. J. Chitwick, the Scouts , Messrs. B. J. Bond, W. Knight, A. E. Martin, and R. Ketley represented Messrs Christy and Norris.

Others attending were: Mrs. Perkins, Mrs Welch, A.C.2 Ellis, Miss Hall, Mrs. C. Cawley, Mrs. E. Cardy, Mrs. A. Hill, Mrs. E. Caves. Mrs. Peacock, and Mrs. Ellis.

Floral tributes included tokens from Friends and Neighbours; North Avenue Scouts; North Avenue Comforts Fund; Friends and Staff of Christy and Norris; Officers of the deceased's unit: Sergeants of the unit; and Airmen of the unit. —The funeral was furnished Messrs. A. J. Andrews and Son, 20 Duke Street.

Harold's father's ashes were added to the grave after his death in 1961.

120113