ARTHUR EDMUND ROPER
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Image from 1917 Suffolk Chronicle & Mercury newspaper.
Born: 18th December 1882, Ipswich, Suffolk.
Baptised on the 4th March 1883, at St. Matthew’s Church, Ipswich – family home at 1, Gaye Street, Ipswich.
Died: 1st July 1916; age 33; KiA – by a shell whilst giving a wounded comrade a drink of water.
Residence: 4, Unity Street, Ipswich.
Occupation: Bricklayer.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich, at the beginning of the war.
Date of Entry Therein: 23rd August 1914.
Arthur took part in the retreat from Mons and the Battle of the Marne. He had been in the trenches ever since.
Rank: Sapper; Service Number: 11152
Regiment: Corps of Royal Engineers, 9th Field Convoy.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star.
Grave Reference:
- P. 1.
Mailly-Maillet,
Somme,
France.
CENSUS
1891 7, Charles Street, Ipswich.
Arthur was 8 years old and living with his father, stepmother, sister & stepbrother.
Arthur Roper, 34, a Bricklayer; born Ipswich.
Clara Roper (nee Mannall), 35; born Manningtree, Essex.
Ada Harriett Roper, 11, born Manningtree.
William James Mannall, 11, born Ipswich.
1901 178, Cemetery Road, Ipswich.
Arthur was 18 years old and living with his father, stepmother, stepbrother & cousin.
Arthur, 44, a Bricklayer.
Clara, 45.
William, 21, a Watch Maker.
Albert John Dalton, 7, born Banackpoou, Calcutta.
1911 4, Unity Street, Ipswich.
Arthur was 28, a Bricklayer. He was married and head of the household.
Alice Roper, 28.
Alice, 5.
Beatrice, 3.
Arthur, 8 months.
Arthur’s mother was Mary Ann Roper (nee Lilleystone), born in January 1851, Ingatestone, Essex and died on the 4th January 1885, at her home, 1, Gaye Street, Ipswich and was buried in Section I, Ipswich Old Cemetery.
On the 30th July 1905, at the Congregational Grimwade Memorial Chapel, Ipswich, Arthur married Alice Maria Luff, born June 1882, Ipswich – daughter of Edward Luff-Rolfe, a seaman, and Alice Marsh (nee Stannard (1st marriage Luff Rolfe)) and stepdaughter of John Marsh, a plough fitter’s labourer, of Albion Street, Ipswich.
Alice and Arthur had four children:
Alice Ida Roper, born January 1906, Ipswich.
Beatrice Maud Roper, born March 1908, Ipswich.
Arthur Edward Roper, born July 1910, Ipswich.
Hilda May Roper, born June 1912, Ipswich.
Photograph courtesy of Cynthia – shows Alice with her four children Alice, Beatrice, Arthur and baby Hilda.
Soldiers’ Effects to Alice M. Roper – widow.
Note from grandson John: “Arthur was killed by a shell when he was giving a drink to a wounded comrade.”
Arthur is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Margaret’s Church, and at Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Ipswich, and on the headstone of his wife Alice Maria Roper, at Ipswich Old Cemetery, Ipswich.
Corps of Royal Engineers, 9th Field Convoy
One Comment
Thank you for this full information. Arthur’s sister, Ada, was my great-grandmother.