Wardroom_PeggyEvans

"Peggy Evans"

Colin Preston Evans, MBE

Stadacona Hall Porter 1947 to 1964

By Jan Drent

The imposing presence of Mr. Evans was a key ingredient in the atmosphere of the Stadacona Wardroom during his seventeen years (1947-64) as hall porter. Tall and erect — and invariably impeccably turned out in a formal morning coat in daylight hours, and in tails for evening functions — he greeted all those arriving and leaving the mess with cheerful dignity. His efficiency at taking caps and coats, and then later remembering the identity of their owners no matter how large the function, was remarkable. If officers had been celebrating hard he would enquire, “Wouldn’t you like me to call a cab, sir?”. But greeting and fussing over arrivals was only part of his role.

Mr. Evans operated out of a small office just inside the entrance where he allocated cabins, supervised the accommodation stewards, sorted the day’s mail (there was lots in those days when long-distance calls were a luxury and most business was done through the post), and the mess’ large selection of newspapers and magazines. Somehow he always seemed to be around — his meals must have been hurried and often snatched in the office to fit quieter moments.

Looking back, it is uncanny how he fitted the role. He had a dignified manner and was respectful without being subservient. “Peggy” Evans was invariably attentive to everyone, no matter the rank; each individual got the same focused treatment. He had a phenomenal memory for people, and former livers-in returning to the mess after long absences would receive a special welcome and discreet enquiry about how everything was going. More than one officer has remarked “he was a wonderful man,” and it’s true.

When Colin Evans became hall porter in 1947, it was after 32 years in the RN and RCN. Born in Kent, he joined as a Boy Seaman in Chatham at age 15 and saw action in the Adriatic and Mediterranean during the Great War. It was as a Boy Seaman that he acquired the traditional nickname “Peggy.” Early on he stood out as an athlete, becoming middleweight champion in the Mediterranean Fleet by the time he was 18. “Peggy” was later heavyweight champion of the Far Eastern Fleet — and eventually of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Over his boxing career he was in more than 100 bouts. In the early twenties he became a physical and recreational training instructor and first came to Halifax in 1930 when he was loaned to the tiny RCN to serve in the old Stadacona, then in the dockyard. During his three year stint in Canada, Mr. Evans married Mary Livingston of Springhill, NS, and made Halifax his permanent home. They had a son and daughter, both still living in Nova Scotia. He also helped organize the Halifax Rugby Referee Association. By the late thirties, “Peggy” was a CPO and in Bermuda as the Fleet PTI for the America and West Indies Station.

Early in the war, CPO Evans helped open a new Artificer Training Establishment in Rosyth, Scotland. Colin Brown of NOAC Ottawa Branch was one of 800 apprentices under training in 1942. Twelve years later Mr. Evans demonstrated his phenomenal recall for individuals when Colin, now a Lt. (E) RCN, appeared at the Stadacona Wardroom. He was dumfounded when “Peggy” said immediately, “Can’t remember your name but you were Duncan Division at Rosyth.” Colin Brown and his sixty fellow apprentices of Duncan Division remember Chief Evans as a big fellow with a booming voice, respected but not feared. Not a bad epithet for a leader, is it.

In 1943 Mr. Evans transferred to the RCN. After serving briefly in Cornwallis as a PTI, he returned to Halifax where, as second in command, he helped organize a new Shore Patrol Training Centre. By that stage of the war there were typically around 13,000 naval personnel in Halifax. To provide continuity, the barracks Shore Patrol was a permanent organization of ratings drafted to this duty and trained specifically. More than 1,700 sailors passed through the centre during his time. “Peggy” became a Commissioned Boatswain in September 1944. Immediately after the war, he passed ten classes of Chief and Petty Officers through a leadership course. He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1946. The citation says, “his zeal and ability have been an inspiration to all with whom he has come in contact.”

By 1947 at the age of 48, Colin Evans had reached retirement age. The Stadacona Wardroom, then in Admiralty House, was looking for a hall porter. Within a month of hanging up his uniform “Peggy” took up his new duties and remained with the Wardroom until 1964. When the mess moved into the handsome new building with gracious public rooms on Lorne Terrace in 1954, Capt. Dawson of NOAVI remembers the mess president, Cdr. “Scruff” O’Brien organizing a new morning coat and striped trousers for the hall porter. The Stadacona Wardroom was a lively focus of social activity for officers during Mr. Evans’ 17 year tenure. At the time, Halifax offered very few good restaurants, lounges or other suitable social venues. The officers responsible for the mess were rotated regularly but the cheerful presence of “Peggy” Evans was a constant. He had his own style of panache which endeared him to hundreds of users of the mess. James Coulter of NOAVI recalls a characteristic incident. When a list of appointments for James’ class was posted at the end of the year of courses in Stadacona, he was “astonished” to learn he was going to Swansea in command. “In a dazed straggle to the Wardroom, various pilgrims offered congratulations (and poorly hidden amazement). On arrival at the mess, ‘Peggy’ Evans took my cap and said, ‘good morning, sir, your cap goes on the Captains’ shelf.’ Who could forget a man like that?”

One of the things which set “Peggy” Evans apart was his interest in everyone, junior as well as senior. Donald Grant of NOAC Ottawa Branch is now a lawyer. Back n the late fifties he was a Leading Steward in the Wardroom. “Peggy” Evans was one of those who encouraged Donald to further his education and to realize his potential. Typically, when Donald left the Navy, “Peggy” was supportive but also urged him to rejoin if life outside didn’t work out because he could have a good career in the Navy.

On top of his long hours as porter, “Peggy” was an active member of Scotian where he particularly enjoyed training young sailors and became a Lieutenant in 1956. He maintained his lifelong interest in fitness and old Crowsnest articles show him doing handsprings from a box horse when over 50. He and his family lived in the Hydrostone district just east of Stadacona. By early 1964, Mr. Evans — now closing in on 65 — asked to retire from the mess. Gregor Macintosh of NOAVI, then mess secretary, remembers “Peggy” saying that he felt that his health was slowing down. Tragically, Mr. Evans died of a massive heart attack just weeks after retiring.

Lieutenant Colin Evans, MBE, CD, RCN(R), was buried in Sackville with a naval guard and an honour party of officers.

Within remarkably few years there were sweeping changes in the Service, and in particular the staffing and operation of shore messes. Looking back, Mr. Evans, remembered with nostalgia by many, exemplifies a different way of life. Colin Evans is recalled with affection by a whole generation of naval officers for his utter devotion to his duties, tremendous interest in people, and unfailing cheerfulness.

With thanks to all those who responded to appeals for memories of Mr. Evans, and in particular his son, Mr. Colin Evans of Halifax. J. D.