ALFRED EDWARD ROPER

IPSWICH WAR MEMORIAL | Posted on 15th May 2016 |

Born: 21^st January 1893, at 3, Bramford Road, Ipswich.

Baptised on the 8^th March 1893, at St. Matthew’s Church, Ipswich – family home at 3, Bramford Road, Ipswich.

Died: 31st July 1918; age 25; KiA.

E.A.D.T. – Tuesday, 13^th August 1918 – Mrs. Elsie Roper, of 35, Mount Street, Ipswich, has received official information of the death of her husband, Private Alfred Roper, of the Royal Fusiliers, on the 31^st July. Alfred was 25 years of age, and a son of Mr. William Robert Roper, of Victoria Street, who has four other sons serving, two of whom are prisoners of war.

Residence: 15, Victoria Street, Ipswich.

Occupation: with the Freehold Land Society.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 51853

Regiment: Royal Fusiliers, 23rd Battalion. London Regiment.

Formerly 3368, Royal Fusiliers Regiment.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

Alfred was killed at the same time as Albert Mottershead.

Grave Reference:

V.A.8.

St. Amand British Cemetery,

Pas de Calais,

France.

ALBERT MOTTERSHEAD was ranked a Private, 82329, for the Royal Fusiliers, 23rd Battalion and the son of Joshua Mottershead, a market porter for A. Landale & Son, of Smithfield Market, Manchester, and Martha Mottershead (nee Tennant), of 18, Lees Street, Ancoats, Manchester. Albert was 19 years of age.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Robert & the late Emma Roper, of Ipswich; husband of Elsie Lily Roper, of 35, Mount Street, Ipswich.

Brother-in-law to ERNEST GEORGE ARNOLD.

CENSUS

1901 3, Bramford Road, Ipswich.

Alfred was 9 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

William Robert Roper, 45, a General Labourer, born St. Matthew’s, Ipswich.

Emma Roper (nee Symonds), 45, born St. Helen’s, Ipswich.

Alice Maud Roper, 17, a Tailoress, born Ipswich.

Sydney Henry Roper, 15, an Errand Boy, born Ipswich.

Ernest Frederick Roper, 11, born St. Matthew’s, Ipswich.

Edith Ethel Roper, 5, born St. Matthew’s, Ipswich.

Stanley George Roper, 4, St. Matthew’s, Ipswich.

1911 15, Victoria Street, Ipswich.

Alfred was 18 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

Robert, 55, a Building Labourer.

Emma, 55.

Ernest, 20, a Railway Shunter.

Edith, 15, worked at a Corset Factory.

Stanley, 13.

Alfred’s mother, Emma Roper, died on the 29^th September 1914 at her home, 15, Victoria Street, Ipswich and was buried on the 3^rd October in Section G, Ipswich Old Cemetery.

In 1915, Ipswich, Alfred married Elsie Lily Arnold, born March 1895, Ipswich – daughter of Henry Arnold, a service layer for the Ipswich Gas Light Company, and Eliza Arnold (nee Ramsey), of 35, Mount Street, Ipswich.

Elsie and Alfred had one daughter:

Dorothy Ivy Roper, born May 1916, Ipswich and baptised on the 21^st June 1916, at St. Peter’s Church, Ipswich – family home at 35, Mount Street, Ipswich.

Soldiers’ Effects to Elsie L. Roper – widow.

Alfred is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Peter’s Church, Ipswich.