WILLIAM 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: 1885, Ipswich.
Died on or since: 26th August 1914; age 28; died as a German Prisoner of War.
Evening Star – Monday, 12th July 1915 – FATE OF A SUFFOLK – Mrs. Sarah Roper, of Waterloo Street, Ipswich, has received the following communication from Mr. Louis Mallett, of the British Red Cross:
“Dear Madam, We deeply regret to have to inform you that, according to an official communication from Germany, dated the 17th April 1915, received by us through Geneva on the 3rd May 1915, Private William James Roper, 6275, of the Suffolk Regiment, is reported to be dead; burial place unknown. I am sorry to say that these are the only particulars given to us on the German list. Please accept our sincerest sympathy.”
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Date of Entry Therein: 15th August 1914.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 6275;
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star + Clasp.
Grave Reference:
La Ferté-Sous-Jouarre Memorial,
Seine-et-Marre,
France.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Fred & Sarah Roper; husband of Ethel Maud Roper, of Regent Court, Regent Street, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1891 32, Wellington Street, Ipswich.
William was 5 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Frederick Roper, 32, a Fish Monger – own account, born Ipswich.
Sarah Ann Roper (nee Simpson), 28, born Ipswich.
Frederick Leonard Roper, 11, born Ipswich.
Louisa Susannah Roper, 9, born Ipswich.
Alfred Roper, 2, born Ipswich.
1901 21, Wellington Street, Ipswich.
William was 15 years old, a General Labourer – Stay Factory. He was living with his parents, siblings & maternal uncle.
Frederick, 43, a Pork Butcher – Slaughter.
Sarah, 39.
Frederick, 21, a Butcher.
Alfred, 12.
Rose Eleanor Roper, 9, born Ipswich.
Alice Maud Roper, 6, born Ipswich.
Elijah Simpson, 31, a General Labourer.
1911 5, Porter’s Cottages, Grey Friars Road, Ipswich.
William was 25 years old, a General Labourer – Market Gardener. He was married and the head of the household.
Ethel, 23.
On the 17th April 1894, Frederick Roper, of Wellington Street, Ipswich, was fined 2s. 6d., for neglecting to send his children to school regularly.
On the 24th May 1908, at Ipswich Register Office, William married Ethel Maud Burch, born February 1887, St. Margaret’s, Ipswich – daughter of Alfred Burch, a blacksmith, and Mary Ann Burch (nee Earthrol), of 2, York Place, Lady Lane, Ipswich.
Ethel and William had five children:
William James Roper Burch, born August 1906, Ipswich and baptised on the 13th September 1908, at St. Mary Elms Church, Ipswich, with his brother Frederick – family home at 11, Westgate Court, Ipswich.
Frederick Leonard Roper, born June 1908, Ipswich and baptised on the 13th September 1908, at St. Mary Elms Church, Ipswich, with his brother William – family home at 11, Westgate Court, Ipswich. – died April 1909, at 11, Westgate Court, Ipswich and buried in Section G, Ipswich Old Cemetery.
Alfred Charles Roper, born March 1910, Ipswich and baptised on the 27th March 1910, at St. Mary Elms Church, Ipswich – family home at 11, Westgate Court, Ipswich
Edward George Roper, born 1911, Ipswich – died on the 5th October 1913, Ipswich and was buried on the 9th October in Section C, Ipswich Old Cemetery.
Florence Elsie Roper, born January 1914, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Ethel Maud Parsons – widow.
Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion:
On this date, the 2nd Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment is called into action at the Battle of Le Cateau
The British army was in retreat, but at Le Cateau it was decided to make a stand. For many troops exhausted from their march from Le Havre, followed by the battle and retreat from Mons, orders were given to dig in, heavy guns brought forward in an almost Napoleonic stand against the advancing Germans.
The 2nd Battalion left Dublin on the 13th of August landing in Le Harve on the 17th being transported by train to Le Cateau on the 18th The weather was hot and still and marched 8 miles to Landrecies from there they marched north to Belgium a further 17 miles arriving at Mons on the 23rd of August by the 24th the British army was retiring back to France the 2nd Battalion fell back to Hamin then to St.Waast by the 26th they were back to the outskirts of Le Cateau. Extracts of an officer’s letter posted in the Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury newspaper published in December painted the scene of the battle.
3rd October, 1914
Dear—–
Well, as far as I can give you what I actually saw, etc. I have enclosed a rough plan of the Brigades in position at Le Cateau on the 26th of August. The Battalion (2nd Suffolk) arrived at about 7p.m on the 25th August and bivouacked at the barn, shown at the top of the plan, and made themselves comfortable for the night, although the Germans were following close on the heels. The remainder of the Brigade was fairly close at hand.
On the 26th, the Suffolks had breakfast at 3. am, and fell in at 4 a.m to take up their allotted positions, which were about half a mile to their rear. Two of the Battalions (nos.3 and 4) of the Brigade were to occupy the trenches which had already been prepared for them, and the Suffolks (No.1 Battalion) and the 4th Battalion of the Brigade were placed in reserve. Afterwards, the Suffolks were moved out in front of the battery and No.4 Battalion to the right to protect the guns. The Suffolks had barely taken up their position and commenced to use the web equipment entrenching tool when the Germans opened fire on the battery and dropped a shell right among them. The fight developed, and the regiment hung on protecting the guns, but had to put up with a good deal of shelling which was intended for the Battery. They also came in for a good deal of enfilading fire from the German guns. This went on for several hours. It was difficult to feed the firing line with ammunition, especially when the German infantry drew near. Our infantry and Maxim guns simply mowed them down, but still they pushed on, and for a time they recoiled and then came on again. The Battery at one time was firing at them at about 800 yards range, and I am afraid some of our men, especially of C Company (Captain Orford) got hit with his own shells. Nothing could show itself in the open without drawing a terrible reaction from the enemy. The first line of transport was ordered to retire and get away as best it could. The Batteries and the Infantry Brigade stuck to their positions and continued the fire, hoping to be reinforced, as General Sir Charles Fergusson had given out that 40,000 French troops were expected. Eventually, the order to retire was given, but the old Suffolks had little ammunition left, and the casualties were enormous; very few men were able to retire. In the early part of the fight, 50 wounded Suffolks were carried to the dressing station (but I do not know their names) and to the field hospital. These, together with the other wounded, were shown as “missing” with the exception of Col. Brett, who was killed early in the fight by a shell.
“I don’t know how the Division got away; we were practically surrounded, waiting for the French troops. Evidently, the Germans had a very bad time, or they would have cut off our few guns, and our superior rifle fire played havoc with them. I really believe that it was the 108 Heavy Battery that saved the situation and covered our retirement.
In the infantry brigade, two of the battalions lost their first line of transport. The Suffolks just managed to save theirs, thanks to the Transport officer (Lieut. Oakes) and Sergt. Major Burton. I was with the supply and baggage train in the village when I was not watching the fight. When I mustered the Battalion, the following was the strength: three officers, including Capt. Phelan R.A.M.C (medical officer) Lieut. Oakes (transport Officer) and 217 men. We kept our place in the Brigade, having been re-enforced from home by Special Reserve officers and men. We are now attached to General Headquarters Army Troop (General French) for a short time. Captain Hausberg is in command of us at present, but Leut-Col. Clifford is expected soon. I am glad to say I am in very good health, but have had a very hard time of it. The Suffolks are very fit and keen, but a rest from the trenches they have recently vacated will be good.”
Ipswich men who died from the 2nd Battalion on 26th August 1914:
Alfred Marsh
Private. Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion age 20
Jeremiah George Podd
Private Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion age 25
William James Roper
Private Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion age 28
William Teager
Private Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion age 30
Wallace Michael Bristo
Private Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion age 30
George Sparkes
Private Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion, age 31
It is believed that the Suffolk Regiment, the 2nd Battalion, recorded 720 casualties killed, wounded and missing. 40,000 British troop’s fort in the battle; 7,812 British casualties, 2,600 taken prisoner. German losses were estimated at 2,900. At this time, trench warfare was in its infancy. Trenches were shallow scrapes in the ground with little protection from bursting shrapnel shells. As the months moved on, more time was taken in the preparation of the trenches, and at this point, steel helmets were not issued throughout the British army.
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