File:Modern, Medal (FindID 928235).jpg

English: Copper alloy machine cast medal - 1914 Star / Mons Star:

Front face: A four-pointed star crowned with central wreath around crossed swords; the Royal monogram GV appears at base of wreath. A suspension loop at top, integrally cast. A central scroll reads: Aug / 1914 / Nov

On the reverse, on three lines, the stamped inscription: 7218 / PTE M. T. EVANS / 2/ WELSH R.

Length: 61.8mm, Width: 43.9mm, Thickness: 3.6mm, Weight: 24.31 grams.

Information from the Imperial War Museum:

The 1914 Star also known as the Mons Star, the medal is a bronze star with a red, white and blue ribbon, reflecting the French Tricolore.

It was issued to British forces who had served in France or Belgium from 5 August 1914 (the declaration of war) to midnight 22 November 1914 (the end of the First Battle of Ypres).

These were soldiers that were there at the very beginning of the war and so it was primarily awarded to the 'Old Contemptibles', the professional pre-war soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force.

The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit were impressed on the back.

Some medals have a horizontal metal bar worn on the ribbon and inscribed '5th Aug.-22nd Nov. 1914', this distinguished those who had served under enemy fire.

This clasp was replaced by a small silver rosette when the ribbon was worn without the medal.

There were approximately 378,000 1914 Stars issued.

Local Historian and Genealogist James Gosling investigated and found:

M T Evans, Martin Thomas Evans 1879-1914: 'Died of Wounds' 1st November 1914 and is buried at the Harlebeke New British Cemetery. His army records are not available and are assumed destroyed during WW2. Fortunately there is sufficient information in his burial/medal notes, place of residence/place of birth, such that his life story can be told by census.

Martin Thomas Evans was born in West Dean, Gloucestershire in the second quarter of 1879. He was a member of a Forest of Dean coal mining family. His mother, Harriet Evans remarried in 1889 and his early days would have been spent in the joint Powel / Evans family. He is absent from the 1901 census,but present as a civilian in the 1911 one being called to arms on the 4th August 1914. It is likely that at the age of 18 he signed on for '7 and 5', seven years in uniform and five years in the reserve, he continued in the Reserve through to August 1914. Martin Thomas was obviously in the army but his army career is clouded by the fact that the Welsh Regiment made up 'Volunteer Service Companies' for the Boer War which would explain his absence for the 1901 census but would indicate only a short service enlistment? Examination of soldiers with adjacent service numbers did not help as many numbers are reused.

Note that Martin Thomas married in 1908, and was widowed prior to 1911, therefore active service after 1908 is unlikely.

Martin Thomas Evans (1879-1914)

The Edwards, Evans and Powell Families

Charles Evans m. Harriet Edwards Monmouth 1869

1871 Foresters Inn, West Dean, Monmouth

Charles Evans b. Coleford 1849 Iron miner

Harriet Evans b. West Dean 1850

Frank George b. West Dean 1870

William Henry b. West Dean 1871

1881 West Dean (Gloucs), Monmouth

Harriet Evans b. West Dean 1850 Colliers widow

Frank G Evans b. West Dean 1870

William H Evans b. West Dean 1871

James Evans b. West Dean 1875

Martin T Evans b. West Dean 1880

Caleb Powell m. Harriet Evans (widow) Monmouth 1889

1891 Micheldean Lane End, West Dean, Monmouthshire

Caleb Powell b. West Dean 1862 Coal Miner

Harriet Powell b. West Dean 1850

Martin T Evans b. West Dean 1880

Leonard Evans b. West Dean 1885

Elizabeth A Powell b. West Dean 1889

Frederick Powell b. West Dean 1891

1901 Barn Hill, Lane End, West Dean (Gloucs) Monmouth

Caroline Edwards b. West Dean 1821 Mother in law

Caleb Powell b. West Dean 1864 Labour in coal mine 'outside'

Harriet Powell b. West Dean 1850

Leonard Powell b. West Dean 1886 Haulier in coal mine

Bessie Powell b. West Dean 1890

Frederick Powell b. West Dean 1891

Lydia Powell b. West Dean 1895

Martin Tom Evans married Sarah Jane Richards or Mary Jane Davies Gower 1Q 1908

1911 Frampton Road, Gorseinon, Llandeilo, Talybont, Glamorgan

Caleb Powell b. West Dean 1862 Roadman

Harriet Powell b. West Dean 1850 -

Frederick Powell b. West Dean 1891 Cutting coal hewer

Lydia Powell b. West Dean 1895

Martin Evans b. West Dean 1879 Timber man below (widower)

Martin Evans was 'Killed in Action' on the 1st November 1914 and is buried at the Harlebeke New British Cemetery in Belgium (Grave reference XVII. D.2/6). Note that he is recorded as enlisted at Ponypridd while resident in Gorseinon, Glamorgan. His military record is not available.