BERTIE ALFRED PIPER

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: 27th August 1892, Ipswich.

Baptised on the 3^rd February 1909, at St. Mary’s Church, Shotley, Suffolk – family home at 48, Schreiber Road, Ipswich.

Died: 25th April 1918; age 26; KiA with submarine off the West Coast of Africa.

Residence: 48, Schreiber Road, Ipswich.

Occupation: Van Boy.

Enlistment Details: Location: Chatham; Date: 27th August 1910 – signed up for 12 years. Height on joining – 5ft 4 ins, height at 18 years – 5ft 5 1/2 ins, fresh complexion, grey/blue eyes & dark brown hair.

Service:

Ganges – Boy 2^nd Class – 19^th September 1908

Ganges – Boy 1^st Class – 20^th April 1909 – 13^th May 1909

Leviathan – Boy 1^st Class – 14^th May 1909 – 9^th September 1909

Pembroke – Boy 1^st Class – 10^th September 1909 – 12^th October 1909

Caesar – Boy 1^st Class – 13^th October 1909 – 31^st March 1910

London – Boy 1^st Class – 1^st April 1910

London – Ordinary Seaman – 27^th August 1910 – 2^nd October 1910 – 3 days in the cells

London – Ordinary Seaman – 6^th October 1910 – 4^th March 1912

Africa – Ordinary Seaman – 5^th March 1912 – 5^th May 1913 – 14 days in the cells

Africa – Ordinary Seaman – 20^th May 1913

Africa – Able Seaman – 14^th August 1913 – 22^nd April 1917

King Alfred – Able Seaman – 23^rd April 1917 – 30^th June 1917

Bacchante – Able Seaman – 1^st July 1917 – 31^st December 1917

Bombala – Able Seaman – 1^st January 1918 – 25^th April 1918.

Rank: Able Seaman; Service Number: J.2894(Ch)

Regiment: Royal Navy, H.M.S. ‘Bombala.’

Memorial Reference:

28.

Chatham Naval Memorial,

Kent.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Alfred W. & Annie M. Piper, of 48, Schreiber Road, Ipswich.

CENSUS

1901   38, William Street, Ipswich.

Bertie was 8 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

Alfred William Piper, 38, a Baker, born Thurston, Suffolk.

Annie Maria Piper (nee Pilborough), 36, born Ipswich.

Annie Maud Piper, 12, born Ipswich.

Percy Henry Piper, 10, born Ipswich.

Harold Arthur Piper, 4, born Ipswich.

Grace Mabel Piper, 3, born Ipswich.

Cyril George Piper, 1, born Ipswich.

1911   Gibraltar

Bertie was 19 years old, an Ordinary Seaman on board London, a 1st Class Battleship, Atlantic Fleet. Captain – Hugh Francis Paget Sinclair. Bertie was 1 of the 712 men and 7 boys on board. His religion was CofE.

Bertie is also remembered on the war memorial at St. John the Baptist Church, Ipswich.

H.M.S. ‘Bombala’