HERBERT JAMES 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.
Born: 20th November 1890, at Halfway Houses, Norwich Road, Ipswich.
Baptised on the 20th January 1891, at All Saints Church, Ipswich – family home at Halfway Houses, Norwich Road, Ipswich.
Died: 23rd April 1917; age 26; KiA.
Residence: Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Admitted to No. 11 Casualty Clearing Station on the 18th March 1917 with Influenza.
Rank: Corporal; Service Number: 33707
Regiment: Bedfordshire Regiment, 4th Battalion.
Formerly 22292, Suffolk Regiment.
Medals Awarded: Victory and British War.
Memorial Reference:
Bay 5.
Pas de Calais,
France.
CENSUS
1891 Halfway Houses, Norwich Road, Ipswich.
Herbert was 4 months old and living with his parents, siblings & stepsiblings.
Jeremiah Roper, 31, an Agricultural Labourer, born Ipswich.
Elizabeth Jane Roper (nee Burman), 36, a Laundress – own account, born Whitton, Suffolk.
Edgar Albert Roper, 13, born Ipswich.
Kate Roper, 11, born Barking, Suffolk.
John Edward Roper, 5, born Ipswich.
Frank William Roper, 4, born Ipswich.
Florence Roper, 2, born Ipswich.
Dorothy Roper, 1, born Ipswich.
1901 Halfway Houses, Norwich Road, Ipswich.
Herbert was 10 years old and living with his parents, siblings & stepsister.
Jeremiah, 40, a General Labourer.
Elizabeth, 40.
Kate, 21.
Jack, 15, Gardener – domestic.
Frank, 14, an Errand Boy.
Florence, 13.
Dorothy Roper, 11, born Ipswich.
Maud Roper, 6, born Ipswich.
Winifred Constance May Roper, born Ipswich.
1911 69, Richmond Road, Ipswich.
Herbert was 19 years old, a Van Salesman for a Grocer. He was living with his parents & sisters.
Jeremiah, 52, a Carter – Builder.
Elizabeth, 53.
Dorothy, 23, a Tailoress.
Maud, 16.
Winnie, 10.
Soldiers’ Effects to Jeremiah Roper – father.
Herbert is also remembered on the war memorial at SPRINGFIELD SCHOOL, Ipswich.
At the end of August 1916, the local newspapers announced that Herbert’s eldest brother, John Edward Roper, had been killed in action on the 20th July 1916. John was ranked Private, 6781, of the Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion. On the 9th November 1916, the soldiers’ effects were authorised to be paid to his family when it was discovered that John was alive and had been taken as a German prisoner of war. John was awarded the British War, Victory, 1914 Star, clasp and roses. He married Dorothy Kemp in 1925 and died in May 1972, in Ipswich.
3 Comments
Herbert James Roper was the brother of my great grandmother Kate Roper. I have a copy of Herbert’s birth certificate which shows he was born on 25th November 1890, Herbert would have been 4 months old at the time of the 1891 census on 5th April 1890.
Thank you for publishing this information, I was previously unaware that he had been killed in action.
Herbert James Roper was my great grandmothers brother. Herbert was born on 25th November 1890 and would have been 4 months old at the time of the 1891 census held on 5th April 1891. I have a certified copy of Herbert’s birth certificate.
Thank you for the information on this site, I was previously unaware that Herbert was killed in action.