| James Bevan was born in St.Kilda, Victoria, Australia. He was the son of James Bevan and Elizabeth Fly. His father was born in Grosmont, Monmouthshire, and had emigrated to Australia in 1848. He met his wife on the voyage to Australia and the couple had three children, two daughters and a son.
James Bevan Snr purchased a Cobb & Co coach route from Melbourne to Beechworth and prospered as a result. He was able to build one of the first mansions in Melbourne, which he named ‘Grosmont’. Tragedy struck the family on January 11th 1866 when Mr and Mrs Bevan were among 251 passengers who drowned when the Melbourne-bound SS London sank in heavy seas in the Bay of Biscay.
James Bevan Jnr was only seven years old at the time and was sent with his one surviving sister to live with relatives in Wales. He was educated at Hereford Cathedral School and went up to St John’s College, Cambridge on October 10th 1877.
A good all-round sportsman, he won the sprints at his college and also turned out for the St John’s football XI. He could also turn his hand to cricket and, when living in Bristol having completed his Cambridge education, he claimed WG Grace and his brother EM Grace as victims while playing for Old Sneed Cricket Club.
He completed his BA in 1881 and his MA in 1891 and won rugby Blues in 1877 and 1880. He almost won the latter game with a drop goal which many claimed went over the bar, although the umpires disallowed it and the game was drawn one try each.
Bevan captained the first Welsh XV that took the field against England at Blackheath on February 19th 1881.
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