Statuette of Evelyn de Rothschild (1886-1917) in military uniform on a black wooden plinth, inscribed E de R. 1916, by Garrard & Co. Albermarle St, London. c.1916. It is displayed with the service medals posthumously awarded to Evelyn, the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Evelyn Achille de Rothschild (1886-1917)
Evelyn Achille was born on 6 January 1886, the son of Leopold and Marie. He was an exceptionally fine horseman. He went to Trinity College, Cambridge in 1904, and entered into the family business at New Court in 1907, although he never became a Partner.
He served as a Major in the Bucks Yeomanry (Royal Bucks Hussars), and was mobilised with his Regiment on the outbreak of the War. ln August 1914, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and left for Egypt in April 1915. He was then sent to Gallipoli, but after three months there was invalided to the base. He remained in Egypt and was present at both Battles of Gaza. In March 1917, he was promoted to Major. Injured in the Yeomanry charge on El Mughar (Palestine) on 13 November 1917, he died of his wounds in the Citadel Hospital, Cairo four days later. His cousin Neil Primrose was tragically killed in the same battle.
Evelyn Achille was buried in the Jewish cemetery in Cairo. On 13 October 1919 his remains were re-interred in Rishon-le-Zion Jewish Cemetery, Israel. A memorial to Evelyn Achille was erected by the family in Willesden United Synagogue Cemetery, and a scholarship was established at Harrow School in his memory.
