Evenson, PTE Christian Henry

Christian Henry Evenson (1880-1968), labourer and soldier, was born in Oslo, Norway. Evenson moved to Australia and married Gudrum. Together, they settled in Wellington Mills in the South West Region of Western Australia, where Evenson worked as a labourer. They had a daughter, Thelma in 1912.

Christian Evenson enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 2nd of May 1916 at the age of 35 and was posted to the 3rd Reinforcements, 44th Battalion. He left for overseas service in October 1916 and arrived at the front lines in February 1917. On the 4th of June 1917, during the Battle of Messines, Evenson was shot in the right elbow and spent over 6 months recovering.

He fought in multiple battles throughout 1918 but was wounded again on the 26th of August 1918 whilst pursuing the enemy after the Battle of Amiens, receiving a gunshot wound to the head. His wound was severe enough that he was medically discharged to Australia.

During the war, Evenson fought in 7 battles and spent 359 days in the trenches. He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge, 2 Wound Stripes, Active Service Badge, 2 Long Service Stripes.

Upon returning to Wellington Mills, he had a son in 1920, John. For the next 2 decades the family continued to live in the local area, with his daughter getting married and his son signing up for service in the Royal Australian Air Force in World War Two. During the war, Evenson moved to Busselton where he would remain for the rest of his life. Tragedy struck the family in 1945, when Evenson’s son, John died of injuries sustained on home service in the RAAF. Evenson died in 1968 at the age of 88 and was buried at Busselton Cemetery.

Notes

Crime x2 – Prejudicial conduct/absent from hospital for 1 day in July 1917. Forfeit 2 days pay. AWL for a few hours later that same month and admonished.

Crime – AWL for 20 days whilst sick in August 1917. 17 days of Field Punishment No. 2 by a Colonel. Also 43 days pay forfeited.

Crime – AWL for 12 days whilst sick in September 1917. 9 days of Field Punishment No. 2 by the same Colonel. Also 23 days pay forfeited.

Crime – Being in bath without pass (twice) and drunkenness in November 1918. 7 days confined to cell and forfeiture of 4 days pay.

Crime – AWL in January 1919. Disembarked in Colombo due to being AWL.

Crime – Not allowed to enter Perth Hospital in February 1919.

-Was fined for not vaccinating his daughter in 1913.

-Died in 1968 at the age of 88 and buried at Busselton Cemetery. His wife died 9 years later.

Sources

Bunbury Herald, 20/03/1913, P.1

Western Mail, 29/01/1920, P.27

National Archives of Australia

AIF Project

Find A Grave.com