Volunteer Officer's Decoration (India & Colonies). 'V.R.I.' obverse cypher. With integral top brooch bar (Capt. J. E. Evans E.I.Ry V. Rifle Corps)

The insignia complete with integral top brooch bar, this complete with its silver hinged pin & clasp fittings as issued. The decoration retaining its original silk riband, as issued

Medal Verification: Captain (Honorary Major) James Edward Evans of the East Indian Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps, per General Orders No.2. issued by the Military Department (Government of India) of 1 January 1895, and also published of same date in the Gazette of India

Reference 'The Volunteer Officers Decoration' (J.M.A. Tamplin, Spink London, 1980)' only an estimated 187 x VD's (VRI India & Colonies) were issued to the Indian Volunteers 1895-1901 (inc) 

The reverse of the V.D. with makers name 'Jenkins & Sons Birm' and English silver hallmarks for Birmingham, 1894

The 'Englishman's Overland Mail' issue of 15 August 1901, quoting the Gazette of India (Military Department) had below notice:

Quote,

East Indian Railway Volunteer Rifles: Major James Edward Evans, V.D., is granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel

Unquote.

The Gazette of India issue dated 8 February 1902, contained the following Military Department notice:

Quote,

Major (Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel) James Edward Evans, V.D., resigns his commission and is permitted on retirement to retain his rank and wear the uniform of the corps

Unquote.

James Edward Evans, eldest son of William Evans (Engineer) and Sarah Evans (nee) was a native of Mangotsfield, nr Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, where he was born in 1844, and where baptized on, 31 March 1844. At the time of the compilation of the 1861 National Census for England & Wales, he is recorded employed as an 'Engineer', and residing with his parents and 4 x siblings (elder sister, Mary Ann & younger sisters Amelia & Emily & younger brother Alfred) at the family residence located at 124, Bell Hill Road, Parish of St. George, Bristol. On 4 February 1866, James Evans is recorded to have entered a contract of employment  with the East Indian Railway Company, in which company he had obtained an appointment as a Fitter & Erector. Immediately prior to embarking for British India - where he was to be employed for the next 36 years - he married Hanna Long (daughter of Samuel Long) on, 27 January 1866, at Hanham, Gloucestershire, England. On arrival in India, James subsequently held a series of appointments, mostly being located at the great East Indian Railway Company base at Jamalpur (located in Bihar State). His appointments and progress with the East Indian Railway Company can be traced in various India Directories of the late 19th Century. In addition to his railway employment as an engineer, James Evans was also a long serving member of the East Indian Railway Volunteer Rifles Corps, which unit he joined as a volunteer and served for several years as an 'Other Rank' prior to gaining a commission in the corps 2 April 1878

James Edward Evans, retired from India circa 1902, and returned to his native Bristol, England. Not many years after his retiremenbt to England, James is recorded to have died on 4 January 1907. At the time of his death he was living at, 36 Whiteladies Road, Clifton. Bristol. He left an estate of considerable value, £5955 & 2 Shillings. He was buried at the parish of Hanham, Gloucestershire, England on, 8 January 1907 

The East Indian Railway Volunteer Rifles had its origins dating back to 1869, when the unit was originally raised. The lineage of the regiment throughout its existence as an auxiliary unit is shown below:

- 1886: East Indian Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps
- 1897: East Indian Railway Volunteer Rifles
- 1917: 7th East Indian Railway Battalion
- 1918: 7th East Indian Railway Corps
- 1920: The East Indian Railway Regiment (A.F.I.)

The regiment was stood down and disbanded on 14 August 1947

A famous celebrity, Rudyard Kipling, visited the East Indian Railways major rail works at Jamalpur, Bengal, in 1888, where he wrote of the volunteers:

Quote,

On Tuesdays and Fridays the volunteers parade. A and B Companies, 150 strong in all, of the E.I.R. Volunteers, are stationed here with the band. Their uniform, grey with red facings, is not lovely, but they know how to shoot and drill. They have to. The ‘Company’ makes it a condition of service that a man must be a volunteer; and volunteer in something more than name he must be, or someone will ask the reason why. Seeing that there are no regulars between Howrah and Dinapore, the ‘Company’ does well in exacting this toll."

Unquote.

A large regiment, in 1906 the unit numbered approximately 2,300 x 'All-Ranks' with its Headquarters and Armoury located at Jamalpur.

Condition: VF

Code: 26252