WOMAN OF THE CRIMEA.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 50, 27 February 1909, Page 15

WOMAN OF THE CRIMEA.

SUFFERINGS OF A SOLDIER'S ,WIFB. Mrs Elizabeth Evans is the only woman living who saw the battle of Alma and went through the crying experiences of the Crimean war. Up to the end of last year she was in receipt of a pension of T/ a week from the Patriotic Fund. On the Old Age Pension Act coming into force this has been stopped, and a 3 the pension officer only allows her 4/, she loses 8/ a week. The London "Daily News" representative found Mrs Evans at Richmond, living in a small Ivy-clad cottase. Born at Bristol in 1529, ehe married Mr Evans In 1851. She was one of three women arriving at the Crimea, being almost the first to land. The marching was terrible, and she suffered owing to poor food. When the barrack-room was erected, Mr and Mrs Evans had a corner in a large room, In which there were 24 men. They had to put a large curtain round the bed at night time. Mrs Evans marched with the troops who assembled for the Battle of Alma. " 'Come over here to the trenches," my husband said to mc, 'It is like a shambles. They are cutting off arms and legs wholesale.' I shuddered and refused to go. Later I saw them bnrylug the dend. A great big pit was dug, nnd broken gune end empty rifles and dend bodies were all thrown In together and covered over. My worst time was after the winter, when the spring weather brought the fever. I was very bud. I was the only woman left. I had to be nursed by men. They thought I was dying, and when they brought three plankb I thought they were going to bury mc, and I screamed out, 'Don't bury mc; I'm not dead yet.' When I wag strong enough to be moved they sent mc home. I didn't know whether my husband was dead or alive, but after I had been home for some time he turned up all right. He died In Richmond eleven years ago." One of Mrs Evnne' most treasured possessions is a display of military medals which belonged to her husband. She has special permission from the colonel of the regiment — the King's Own Lancashire— to wear them.