PRIVATE J. EVERS, 1ST BATTALION LIVERPOOL REGIMENT. Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902,

PRIVATE J. EVERS, 1ST BATTALION LIVERPOOL REGIMENT. Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, type 3, wreath points to F in AFRICA, 3 clasps, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast, officially impressed (5864 Private, Liverpool Regiment), Almost Extremely Fine.

Private Evers was taken prisoner of war at Helvetia, 29th December 1900. In December 1900 the garrison at Helvetia consisted of a small detachment of the 1st Battalion Liverpool Regiment and some artillery, the main camp, comprising three separate posts, being situated on some rising ground in the middle of a large upland plain, from where the garrison kept a protective watch over convoys as they passed through. In early December the garrison learnt that Louis Botha himself, with a strong force, was in the neighbourhood, and that an attack was imminent. Precautions were taken immediately, the men sleeping in their boots, with their rifles, loaded, at their sides at all times. On the night of 27th December the Boers launched a concerted surprise attack on Helvetia. The British sentries were overcome, shot down before they had time to warn their comrades, and quickly the general assault devolved into hand to hand fighting. Eventually two of the garrisons posts surrendered, after which the Boers attempted to remove a 4.7 inch gun that they had captured at one of the posts. Initially they were prevented from doing so by rifle fire from the third post, directed by a Lieutenant Wilkinson. As daylight broke, the Boers also came under artillery fire as they continued the attempt to remove the artillery piece. At this point, what was at the time described as “an incident of the most disgraceful nature” occurred. The members of the Liverpool Regiment and gunners who had been captured when the two posts fell, no doubt including Private Evers, were placed as a screen between the the Boers, who were attempting to remove the gun, and the incoming artillery fire. As a result the British gunners ceased fire, and the Boers got away with their prize. During this action at Helvetia the British losses amounted to some 13 men killed, 4 officers and 28 men wounded and some 231 officers and men taken prisoner. Private Evers was subsequently released.