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John (Jack) Evans
Description
TitleJohn Evans
Alternative NameJack EvansSummaryJohn (Jack) Evans, contractor and soldierDescriptionAt the Otira 100 celebrations in August 2023, Alex Graham shared the story of his maternal grandfather, John Evans, known as Jack. He worked continuously on the Ōtira tunnel apart from two years service in WW1 from 1917-1919. He cut timbers at the Arthur’s Pass end of the tunnel, with his brother Edmund who was a self-taught carpenter and built the workmen’s huts. Jack also worked with Willy Aicken to cut timbers of red beech at Aickens to line the tunnel shaft (Willy died in WW1). In 1919 there was a big draw on the timbers used for the tunnel mining: they could not cut enough. Jack returned to timber work from the Army that year, then worked until 1923 to clear land in Ōtira, removing trees, stumps and native bush for the railway cottages to be built. He worked with Sir James Fletcher, who at that time was an ordinary carpenter.
First NameJohnLast NameEvansOccupationContractorGenderMaleParents or Next of KinMother - Mrs Mary Evans.
Alternative NameJack EvansSummaryJohn (Jack) Evans, contractor and soldierDescriptionAt the Otira 100 celebrations in August 2023, Alex Graham shared the story of his maternal grandfather, John Evans, known as Jack. He worked continuously on the Ōtira tunnel apart from two years service in WW1 from 1917-1919. He cut timbers at the Arthur’s Pass end of the tunnel, with his brother Edmund who was a self-taught carpenter and built the workmen’s huts. Jack also worked with Willy Aicken to cut timbers of red beech at Aickens to line the tunnel shaft (Willy died in WW1). In 1919 there was a big draw on the timbers used for the tunnel mining: they could not cut enough. Jack returned to timber work from the Army that year, then worked until 1923 to clear land in Ōtira, removing trees, stumps and native bush for the railway cottages to be built. He worked with Sir James Fletcher, who at that time was an ordinary carpenter.First NameJohnLast NameEvansOccupationContractorGenderMaleParents or Next of KinMother - Mrs Mary Evans.Image
Connections
PlaceŌtiraMore InformationJohn Evans' entry on Cenotaph
More InformationJohn Evans' entry on CenotaphMilitary Service
Regiment or Service32 Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, C Company, New Zealand Expeditionary ForceService Number64630
Service Number64630John (Jack) Evans. Selwyn Stories, accessed 24/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5970