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	Herbert Lavington Evans

Herbert Lavington Evans, also known as Harry Loft, born 14th December 1859 in Clifton. He was selected for Scotland while playing for Edinburgh University. He played for Clifton for 4 seasons in 1878-1879, 1979-1880, 1880-1881, 1881-1882

Scotland's match against Ireland on the 21st February 1885 was abandoned after 30 minutes due to heavy rain, with Scotland leading by 1 try to nil. For more than 100 years this fixture was erased from the record books and both unions only recognized the replayed match. The match was eventually recognized by both Unions and given retrospective Test status in both Ireland and Scotland.

In 1861the Evans family were living at Ashley Villa, Clifton, Bristol.

In 1871 Evans was at school in Reigate Foreign, Surrey. This is now known as Redhill. Another 2 sons had been born to the Evans family, Howard B. Evans (abt 1865) and David L. Evans (abt. 1870). They were still living at Ashley Villa, 23 Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol. Also in the same house was Susannah Nicholson, Susan Evans mother who was from Stoke in Devon. As well as a Tanner his father is listed as a Councillor.

Above left Harry Evans from the 1880 Clifton 1st XV photo and right from the 1881 Clifton 1st XV photo.

Above Ashley Villa, 23 Pembroke Road, Clifton.

In 1881 the Evans family were still living at Ashley Villa, Clifton, Bristol.

Evans father has died in the previous 10 years.

He appears in the Edinburgh University Rugby XV photos 1883-84, 1884-85, 1885-86, 1885-86, 1886-87 click here

Standing (L-R): J.Gordon Mitchell (West of Scotlnad), Dr.J.Dod (Watsonians), T.W.Irvine (Edinburgh Academicals), H.L.Evans (Edinburgh University). Middle Row (L-R): P.H.Don Wauchops (Fettesian Lorettonians), G.Maitland (Edinburgh Institution FP), J.P.Veitch (Royal High School FP), T.Ainslie (Edinburgh Institution FP). Sitting (L-R): W.A.Peterkin (Edinburgh University), J.B.Brown (Glasgow Academicals), W.E.MacLagan (Captain) (Edinburgh Academicals), A.R. Don Wauchope (Fettesian Lorettonians), J.Jamieson (West of Scotland), J.G.Tait (Edinburgh Academicals). Front: C.Reid (Edinburgh Academicals).

Above Scotland team that beat Ireland in Edinburgh on 7th March 1885 with ex Clifton College (1875-1877) and Clifton RFC player Harry Loft Evans whose real name was Herbert Lavington Evans. 8,000 watched this match in clear but cold weather. Image courtesy of the SRU. Evans worked at Bristol Royal Infirmary in 1882. Captained Edinburgh University in 1886. Played for Gloucestershire. Listed in 1913 Medical Directory as living at Goring on Thames,Oxon. Registered 1888 MB - Master Surgeon 1887 Edinburgh. Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh MRCS(E) and also LRCP(L) . His profession is given as Doctor at Guys Hospital. At some stage he was awarded the MBE but no indication when or why.

In the winter of 1885 Evans married Maud Trimmer. She was born in Adelaide, Australia.

By 1891 the Evans family were living on Thames Road, Goring, Oxfordshire. The 1891 census lists.

In 1901 the children at 12 and 14 are not at home but the Evans's are still at Thames Road. Norman Evans is a boarderer at Alleyn Park, Camberwell. I can find no trace of Violet Evans or Aileen Evans in the 1901 census.

In 1911 the family are still at Thames Road, Ropley, Goring-on-Thames. The Evan's had been married for 25 years and had 3 children

Above Herbert Lavington Evans signature.

Herbert Lavington Evans died on 9th April 1925. His obituary in The Times on 14th April 1925 said

EVANS.- on the 9th April at Ropley, Goring, Oxon., from pneumonia, DR HERBERT LAVINGTON EVANS aged 65.