Second Lieutenant Henry Cope Evans was a World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

 flying ace

Flying ace

A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...

 credited with five aerial victories, all while flying the Airco DH.2

Airco DH.2

|-DH.2 aces:Distinguished pilots of the DH.2 included Victoria Cross winner Lanoe Hawker , who was the first commander of No 24 Squadron and ace Alan Wilkinson. The commander of No. 32 Squadron, Lionel Rees won the Victoria Cross flying the D.H.2 for single handedly attacking a formation of 10...

.

Evans emigrated from England to Canada in his youth to become an orchardist. He served in the Canadian Artillery during the Second Boer War

Boer War

The Boer Wars were two wars fought between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics, the Oranje Vrijstaat and the Republiek van Transvaal ....

. After that, he was a cowboy, rancher, and polo player in Alberta, Canada. In 1914, the day after war was declared, he returned to service in the 19th Alberta Dragoons

19th Alberta Dragoons

The 19th Alberta Dragoons originated in Edmonton, Alberta on 1 February 1908, when the 19th The Alberta Mounted Rifles were authorized to be formed and was redesignated as the 19th Alberta Dragoons on 3 January 1911. On 16 February 1936, it was amalgamated with The Alberta Mounted Rifle. It was...

. He served with the dragoons in France from February through September 1915, and was badly wounded by poison gas. On 23 September, at the age of 36, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps

Royal Flying Corps

The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...

 in the rank of sergeant. On 13 December 1915, he became an observer. He was sent back to England to pilot's training on 26 January 1916. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant

Second Lieutenant

Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...

 on 15 May 1916. He was assigned to 24 Squadron on 4 July 1916 to fly Airco DH.2

Airco DH.2

|-DH.2 aces:Distinguished pilots of the DH.2 included Victoria Cross winner Lanoe Hawker , who was the first commander of No 24 Squadron and ace Alan Wilkinson. The commander of No. 32 Squadron, Lionel Rees won the Victoria Cross flying the D.H.2 for single handedly attacking a formation of 10...

s. He drove down a Roland C.II on 20 July. The next day, he started a string of four enemy planes destroyed, with the fifth one falling on 9 August. On 3 September, he was killed in action by ground fire.

Honors and awards citations

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Temp. 2nd Lt. Henry Cope Evans, Gen. List, attd. R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and skill on many occasions in attacking hostile aircraft, frequently against large odds. In one fortnight he brought down 4 enemy machines, returning on one occasion with his machine badly damaged. Supplement to the London Gazette, 22 September 1916 (29760/9268)