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TimW
Given the circumstances of the time, it is not surprising that young Tom Evered enlisted in the Imperial Yeomanry. Such enlistment was for Short Service (twelve months) with a reservation that service could be extended until the end of the war. Pay at five shillings a day was generous. The IY was initially raised as a result of the need for mounted troops after Black Week and was not the regular army of the day; where one enlisted for several years full time, with several more years in the reserve.
The first IY contingent returned home after one year in SA (the extended service clause was not applied) and was replaced by the second. Due to the need of mounted troops, the second IY contingent (including the 48th Coy) was sent to SA with little basic training; the intention was to train them after arrival. Apparently, such training received was inadequate and the second IY contingent as a whole was much criticised. As part of the 7th Bn., I.Y., the 48th Coy. had a narrow escape at Vlakfontein (29/5/1901) - however it performed very well under extremely trying circumstances at Moedwil.
As you say, ".. the past is never what you think it is". We will never know if Tom Evered enlisted to prove something; as a result of family or social pressure - or what-have-you.
If you are interested in reading more about the formation, recruitment and employment of the IY, I can thoroughly recommend Will Bennett's "Absent Minded Beggars" (ISBN 0 85052 685 X)
Regards
IL.

Tim,

I agree, definitely not a waste of time.

His medal sold at Spink in 2008:

The Queen’s South Africa Medal to Private T.H. Evered, Imperial Yeomanry, Dangerously Wounded During the Boer Attack on Moedwil, 30.9.1901; For This Action Private William Bees Received the Victoria Cross

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (27345 Pte T.H. Evered. 48th Coy. Imp. Yeo)

27345 Private T.H. Evered, served during the Boer War with the 48th (North Somerset) Company, 7th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry; dangerously wounded at Moedwil, 30.9.1901.

There has recently been a few post on Moedwil.

Incidentally, his father's group appeared in the same auction.

Kind regards
David