Welcome to Renfrewshire community website 
Lost VC holder is honoured by provosts from East and West
Home > News and Events > News - release archive > 2006 > November
Renfrewshire's Provost, Celia Lawson, and the City of Edinburgh's Lord Provost, George Grubb, laid wreaths on the grave of Samuel Evans, a Crimean War veteran who won the Victoria Cross for his bravery, at a ceremony in Piershill Cemetery, Edinburgh.
Samuel Evans is one of five Victoria Cross winners from Paisley. A ceremony was held in Paisley Abbey on 26 June 2007 to celebrate their achievements and mark the 150th anniversary of the first time the Victoria Cross was awarded.
Private Evans received his medal from Queen Victoria at the first investiture in Hyde Park on 26 June 1857 and was the 44th person ever to receive the award.
Samuel Evans is one of five Victoria Cross winners from Paisley. A ceremony was held in Paisley Abbey on 26 June 2007 to celebrate their achievements and mark the 150th anniversary of the first time the Victoria Cross was awarded.
Private Evans received his medal from Queen Victoria at the first investiture in Hyde Park on 26 June 1857 and was the 44th person ever to receive the award.
On 13 April 1855, Private Evans was serving in the 19th Regiment of Foot (later the Yorkshire Regiment, Alexandra, Princess of Wales' Own). At Sebastopol he volunteered to go into a fortified gun emplacement that had been breached by Russian fire. He and another private successfully repaired the fortification while still under heavy shelling.
Provost Lawson said: "When we held the civic ceremony in Paisley, Private Evans' family was the only one we couldn't trace. I'm delighted that we have managed to locate his grave. This completes the circle and it's very appropriate that we are visiting so close to Remembrance Day. I'd like to thank Mrs Mary Fairbairn of the Eastern Cemetery Company for renovating the grave."
City of Edinburgh Lord Provost, George Grubb said: "The Victoria Cross is a very special award and I am delighted to be part of this ceremony to honour this brave soldier. It comes at a time when we remember all of those who have fallen in past conflicts and we focus our thoughts on those who sacrifice much for their country."
The Lord Provost and Provost were joined by pupils from St John's primary school, Portobello, and St John Ogilvie's primary school, Paisley. A piper from Renfrew High School was also present.
Press release: Monday 19 November 2007
