Trench art bracelet : Private N W Evans, 9 Battalion CMF

Incomplete metal bracelet in nine detached pieces. The pieces include five completed letters - 'A' 'N' 'N' 'E' 'T' with small attaching loops on either side fashioned from a single piece of metal. A further unfinished 'T' has been commenced with the outline evident on a metal piece. Two additional pieces of metal and spring designed to become a clasp are also present. An attachment ring hangs from one of the clasp pieces.

This trench art bracelet was made by N232843 Private Neil William ‘Billy’ Evans for his niece Annette, the daughter of Billy’s youngest sister Gwladys (Welsh pronounced Gladys). Annette was born in November 1941 and it is believed that she and Billy never met. Tragically he was killed before the bracelet could be completed. It was sent home with his possessions following his death.

Evans was born in Sydney on 18 July 1912 and enlisted in the Australian Army on 12 May 1941. He served with 9 Battalion at Milne Bay from 24 December 1942 until 8 January 1944 when he returned to Australia.
Evans re-embarked for Madang on 14 August arriving there four days later. 9 Battalion garrisoned the Madang area before being transferred to Torokina, Bougainville in November. As part of the Bougainville campaign 9 Battalion’s first attack was the capture of Little George Hill on 29 November. The unit’s next major attack was on Arty Hill (Artillery Hill). Artillery Hill was a high feature obstructing the Australian advance towards Pearl Ridge and as such was an important objective. The Hill was stormed on the morning of 18 December by C Company (of which Evans was a member). The great difficulty of the attack was the only approach was along a narrow spur on either side of which the ridge fell away for two thousand feet. The only way to reach the position was by single file along the 6-foot spur. During the intense fighting Evans was killed along with four other members of C Company. Artillery Hill was ultimately successfully captured by 9 Battalion. Evans is buried at Bomana War Cemetery.