Selected Biographies

Piper, Bertie Alfred – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 11.6.1893.[1]  Parents: George Piper (Carter) and Eliza [née Poulson] [d1894].  Family Connections: Cousin of John Henry Piper [b1891], Bertie George Piper [b1899], Sidney Walter Piper [b1904] and William George Piper [b1908]; also, brother-in-law of Harry Albert Gridley [b1871], Daniel Gridley [b1884], William Charles Gridley [b1887] and Archie Stephen Gridley [b1890].  Home: Living with Thomas Piper (Grandfather) at St Marys Street, Long Melford (1901 and 1911).  Occupation: Miller (1911).  Married: Dorothy Jane Gridley in 1917.  Service Record: Bertie was conscripted on 2.11.1915 as Pte.1170/S with the Royal Marine Light Infantry, posted to Ireland with 63^rd Machine Gun Battalion from 26.4.1916 to 15.5.1916, in response to the ‘Easter Rising’.  He was transferred to 190^th Machine Gun Company and posted to France from 12.11.1917 as part of 190^th Brigade, 63^rd [Royal Naval] Division.  On 16.12.1917 his unit marched into positions between Marcoing and La Vacquerie south of Cambrai, spending the next week constructing and improving firing pits to cover Highland Ridge and the rear slope of Welsh Ridge.  This section of the Front had been relatively quiet, although bitterly cold over Christmas with six inches of snow falling on Boxing Day.  At dawn on 30.12.1917 a brief barrage was followed by a surprise attack by enemy troops dressed in white camouflage, who made a frontal assault with grenades and flame-throwers and quickly gained the snow-covered crest of Welsh Ridge.[2]  Concentrated machine-gun fire stemmed the German advance, which was eventually cleared by an intense artillery barrage.  At least five other Melford men were defending the Ridge on that day: Ernest Ambrose [b1878], Hubert Roy Barnes [b1898], George Henry Sansum [b1892], Owen Charles Sewell [b1897] and Arthur Edward Whent [b1889].  Their stories are to be found elsewhere in this Roll.[3]  Died: Private Piper died of his wounds on 1.4.1918, is buried in Étaples Military Cemetery [grave ref: XXXII.A.9], Pas-de-Calais, France, and commemorated on the Long Melford War Memorial.[4]

Piper, Bertie George – Born: Coggeshall, Essex in 1899.  Parents: Henry George Piper [Maltser’s Labourer] and Harriett [née Mingay] both of Long Melford.  Family Connections: Brother to John Henry Piper [b1891]; also, cousin of Bertie Alfred Piper [b1893], Sidney Walter Piper [b1904] and William George Piper [b1908].  Home: Robens Bridge Road, Coggeshall, Essex (1901), Stoneham Street, Coggeshall (1911), 12 Janson Road, Leyton, Essex (1921).  Occupation: Gardener (1921).  Service Record: Bertie was conscripted on 19.3.1917 as Pte.2220 with 51^st [Graduated] Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment for his initial training at Colchester.  He was transferred as Pte.43890 to 8^th [Service] Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, as part of 63^rd Brigade, 37^th Division and most probably saw action during the Third Battles of Ypres between July and November 1917 and in 1918 against the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.  He was issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged due to wounds in April 1919.[5]  Died: Braintree, Essex on 15.2.1963.

Piper, Harry – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1867.  Parents: George Piper (Moulder in the Iron Foundry) and Elizabeth [née Turner].  Home: Chapel Green, Long Melford (1871), Hall Street, Long Melford (1881), Military Barracks, Newmarket Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (1891).  Occupation: General Servant (1881) Soldier (1891).  Service Record: Harry is recorded as a Private with the Suffolk Regiment on the UK Census of 1891.  It is not known if Piper saw service during the First World War as no definitive military record has been found.

Piper, Henry – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1807.  Parents: John Piper of Pentlow in Essex (Farm Labourer) and Ann [née Dread] of Long Melford.  Home: Long Melford.  Occupation: Husbandman [1826], Soldier [1826 to 1838].  Married: Sarah Wymark in 1822.  Service Record: Henry enlisted at Colchester in Essex on 3.12.1825 as Pte.308 with 82^nd Regiment of Foot [Prince of Wales’s Volunteers].  He spent the bulk of his army career at home until his posting to Gibraltar in January 1837.  Private Piper was granted a pension of 6^d per week following his discharge in 1838 due to ‘liver disease, cough and impaired health’.[6]  Died: Edwardstone, Suffolk in 1840.

Piper, Henry ‘Harry’ – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 13.10.1878.[7]  Parents: Thomas Henry Piper (Shoemaker) and Sarah Ann [née Sore].  Family Connections: Brother to Thomas Piper [b1876].  Home: living with Harry Piper (grandfather) on The Green, Long Melford (1881), St Marys Street, Long Melford (1891), 71 Woodbine Grove, Penge, Surrey (1921), 22 Lullington Road, Penge (1939).  Occupation: Motor Washer (1911).  Service Record: Harry served as a Driver with the Royal Artillery during the First World War.  His actual unit and service number are not known as no definitive military record has been found.[8]  Died: Bromley, Kent in 1958.

Piper, John Henry – Born: Coggeshall, Essex on 12.7.1891.[9]  Parents: Henry George Piper [Maltser’s Labourer] and Harriett [née Mingay] both of Long Melford.  Family Connections: Brother to Bertie George Piper [b1889]; also, cousin of Bertie Alfred Piper [b1893], Sidney Walter Piper [b1904] and William George Piper [b1908].  Home: Robens Bridge Road, Coggeshall, Essex (1901), 87 High Street, Egham, Berkshire (1921).  Occupation: Grocery Manager (1921).  Married: Ada Lucy Francis in 1913.  Service Record: Although no definitive military record has been found, John may have enlisted as Dvr.32711 with the Royal Field Artillery.  If this assumption is correct, then he was posted to France on 29.7.1915 and his number later amended to Gnr.32715.[10]  Died: Wellingborough, Northamptonshire in 1963.

Piper, Mark – Born: Liston, Essex on 20.9.1884.[11]  Parents: Alfred Piper of Foxearth, Essex (Agricultural Labourer) and Harriett [née Smith] (Straw Plaiter) residents of Long Melford from 1911.   Family Connections: Brother to Richard Piper [b1873].  Home: Liston Garden Cottages, Liston Essex (1891 to 1901), The Street, Foxearth. Essex (1911), Liston Gardens, Liston (1921 to 1939).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1901 to 1911), Horseman on Farm (1921).  Married: Mary Ellen Smith in 1905.  Service Record: Although no definitive military record has been found, Mark may have been conscripted as Pte.47810 with the Queen’s [Royal West Surrey Regiment].  If this assumption is correct, then he was later transferred to the Labour Corps as Pte.74694.[12]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1968.

Piper, Mark Walter – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1868.  Parents: Henry Piper (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Ann (Horsehair Weaver).  Home: Back Lane Cottages, Back Lane, Long Melford (1881), St Marys Street/Little St Marys, Long Melford (1891 to 1911), Sergents Yard, Hall Street, Long Melford [1914] to (1921).  Occupation: Bricklayer’s Labourer (1891 to 1901), Builders Labourer (1911), General Labourer for Palmer & Son, Wheelwright of Long Melford (1921).  Service Record: Mark enlisted on 14.10.1914 as Pte.2855 with 4^th [Reserve] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, transferring on 29.4.1916 as Pte.28870 to 100^th, then to 66^th and finally to 55^th Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps, receiving his discharge in April 1919.[13]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk 1943.

Piper, Richard – Born: Liston, Essex in 1873.  Parents: Alfred Piper of Foxearth, Essex (Agricultural Labourer) and Harriett [née Smith] (Straw Plaiter) residents of Long Melford from 1911.   Family Connections: Brother to Mark Piper [b1884].  Home: Liston Garden Cottages, Liston Essex (1881), lodging with Elizabeth Smith at 42 Halford Road, Fulham, London (1891), 28 Borogate, Appleby, Westmorland [1920], 99 Abingdon Road, Kensington, London (1921).  Occupation: Gardener (1891), Housekeeper of Clark’s College (1921).  Married: Elizabeth Davies in 1911.  Service Record: During the First World War Richard was commissioned as an Engineer Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy Reserve,[14] serving on the Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary HMT Osmanieh in 1916 and 1917 and the Collier SS Spinel in 1918.[15]  Died: Kensington, London in 1936.

Piper, Sidney Walter – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 19.1.1904.[16]  Parents: Walter William Piper and Florence [née Ambrose].  Family Connections: Brother to William George Piper [b1908], also, cousin of John Henry Piper [b1891], Bertie George Piper [b1889] and Bertie Alfred Piper [b1893].  Home: High Street, Long Melford (1911 to 1939).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1939).  Married: Gladys Dorothy Morgans in 1929.  Service Record: Sidney joined the Local Defence Volunteers in Long Melford when it was formed in August 1942 as ‘H’ Company, 10^th Battalion, Suffolk Home Guard.  His name is recorded in the official tribute to the organization entitled The Lion Roared his Defiance, photographed in and around Long Melford in 1944.[17]  Died: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk in 1987.

Piper, Thomas – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 16.10.1876.[18]  Parents: Thomas Henry Piper (Bootmaker) and Sarah Ann [née Sore].  Home: Cock and Bell Lane, Long Melford (1881), St Marys Street, Long Melford (1891), Hall Street, Long Melford (1901 and 1911), The Green, Long Melford (1921 to 1939).  Occupation: Horsehair Curlers Assistant (1891), Coconut Mat Maker (1901 to 1911), Coconut Mat Dyer (1921).  Married: Laura Sansum of Long Melford in 1919 [sister of George Henry Sansum aka Garnsum [1892 to 1918].  Service Record: Thomas was conscripted on 25.3.1916 as Pte.26844 with ‘D’ Company, 10^th [Reserve] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, being discharged on 14.7.1916 as “not likely to become an efficient soldier being under the minimum chest and height measurement …. aged 40 but looks 50”.  This ‘deficiency’ notwithstanding, he re-enlisted on 20.6.1917 as Pte. TR/5/45785 with 81^st Training Reserve Battalion, transferring on 1.9.1917 to the Labour Corps, this time being discharged after only thirty-five days.[19]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1943.

Piper, William ‘Walter’ – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 2.1.1874.[20]  Parents: George Piper (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Esther [née Lawrence].  Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Charles Henry Ambrose [b1879] and father-in-law of Raymond McClelland Rogers [b1897].  Home: White Hart Yard, Hall Street, Long Melford (1881), High Street, Long Melford (1891), Merleswood Lodge, Grange, Lancashire (1901), Clarehaven Cottage, Exning, Suffolk (1911), 84 Castlemain Avenue, West Southbourne, Bournemouth, Hampshire (1921), 35 Southern Road, Bournemouth (1939) to [1948].  Occupation: Coconut Mat Maker (1891), Footman (1901), Caterer (1911), Laboratory Attendant (1921).  Married: Laura Ellen Bates in 1907.  Service Record: Prior to 1895 Walter served with 2^nd [Volunteer] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.  He enlisted in 1895 as Tpr.4293 with 5^th [Princess Charlotte of Wales’s] Dragoon Guards, Corps of Dragoons and was posted to South Africa in 1900, serving in the Second Anglo-Boer War before being discharged in 1907.  It is not known if he saw service during the First World War as no definitive military record has been found.[21]  Died: Bournemouth, Hampshire on 31.5.1948.[22]

Piper, William George – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 18.11.1908.[23]  Parents: Walter William Piper and Florence [née Ambrose].  Family Connections: Brother to Sidney Walter Piper [b1904], also, cousin of John Henry Piper [b1891], Bertie George Piper [b1889] and Bertie Alfred Piper [b1893].  Home: 37 High Street, Long Melford (1911), 52 Water Street, Lavenham, Suffolk (1939).  Occupation: Labourer [1926], Hay Cutter (1939).  Married: Elizabeth Wales in 1930.  Service Record: William enlisted for a period of six years in March 1926 as Gnr.1066687 with the Royal Regiment of Artillery, giving a false year of birth as 1907.  He was discharged after only two months as ‘not likely to become efficient’, which may have been a convenient official cover for the fact that he was only 17 at his attestation.[24]  Died: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk in 1988.

Related Biographies

Ambrose, Charles Henry – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 21.9.1879.[25]  Parents: William James Ambrose (Agricultural Labourer) and Sarah Elizabeth [née Ives].  Family Connections: Brother to Frederick William Ambrose [b1876], Arthur Ambrose [b1881], Harry Ambrose [b1884], Henry Ambrose [b1888] and George Ambrose [b1892]; also, uncle of Stanley Clifford Ambrose [b1899] and cousin of Sidney John Ambrose [b1885], Walter Edmund Ambrose [b1891], George Ambrose [b1881] and Charles Henry Ambrose [b1889], uncle of Ernest Ambrose [b1900], and brother-in-law of Walter Piper [b1874].  Home: Holland, The Green, Long Melford (1881 to 1901), 54 High Street, Long Melford (1911), Cooks Cottage, High Street, Long Melford [1916], Westgate Street, Long Melford (1939).  Occupation: Coir Yarn Winder (1901), Coconut Mat Weaver [1916], Gardener (1939).  Married: Edith Kate Piper in 1907.  Service Record: Charles was conscripted on 5.7.1916 as Pte.101987 with the Royal Garrison Artillery, transferring to 1^st Provisional Battery and Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery, then in 1919 as Pte.241195 to 431^st Agricultural Company, and finally to 581^st [Home Service Employment] Company, Labour Corps.  Charles received his discharge in April 1919.[26]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1955.

Rogers, Raymond McClelland – Born: Lyminster, Sussex on 27.6.1897.[27]  Parents: George Robinson Rogers and Lily [née Griggs].  Family Connections: Son-in-law of William Walter Piper [b1874].  Home: York Road, Littlehampton, East Preston, Sussex (1901 to 1911), 20 St Marys Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire [1920], The Castle Tea Gardens, The Square, Poole, Dorset (1939).  Occupation: Motor Engineer (1939).  Married: Ellen Laura Piper in 1939.  Service Record: Raymond was conscripted as Pte.355550 with 1/9^th [Cyclist] Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Roger’s unit saw service in India in 1916, then from October 1918 at Omsk in Siberia, and in the summer of 1919 to Ekaterinburg in the Urals where it joined the Anglo-Russian Brigade.  This was part of the Allied attempt to support the White Russians against the Bolshevik Red Army during that country’s Civil War.[28]  In 1939 he was an Air Raid Precaution Ward in Poole.  Died: Bournemouth, Hampshire in 1984.

Notes – [1] Baptism Register 21.9.1893, St Catherines Mission Church, Long Melford. [2] For an impression of the conditions on the day of the assault on Welsh Ridge see John Nash’s painting Over the Top at the Imperial War Museum in London.  [3] For details of 190^th MG Company’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/3119/3]. [4] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record and Royal Marines: Registers of Service [ADM 159/205]. [5] WO 329 – Silver War Badge ref: B188266], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329], and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [6] Royal Hospital Chelsea: Admission Books, Registers and Papers [TNA – WO 23/10/00110].  [7] 1939 Register. [8] Based on photographic evidence kindly provided by John Nunn of Long Melford.  [9] Baptism Register 28.1.1877, St Peter ad Vincula Church, Coggeshall.  [10] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329/2531] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372/16].  [11] 1939 Register.  [12] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [13] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363].  [14] For notification of his commission see London Gazette 16.6.1916, p.5983. [15] Royal Naval Reserve: Officers’ Service Records [ADM 240/132] and Registry of Shipping and Seaman: Index of First World War Mercantile Marine Medals and the British War Medal [BT 351/1/112962].  [16] 1939 Register.  [17] Published by Marten & Son, Ltd., of Market Hill, Sudbury, Suffolk in 1946.  [18] Baptism Register 28.1.1877, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [19] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363] and Soldiers’ Documents and Pension Claims, First World War [WO 364].  Thomas cut a slight figure at his medical examination, standing only five feet tall, with a chest measurement of 30 inches and weighing a little over seven stone.  [20] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 1.2.1874, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. The 1939 Register for Bournemouth, Hampshire records his birth date as 1.1.1874.  [21] Chelsea Hospital British Army Service Record [WO 97] up to 1907.  [22] National Probate Calendar.  [23] Date of birth from Death Notice.  [24] Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942.  [25] Baptism Register 2.11.1879, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford.  [26] Service Record.  [27] 1939 Register.  [28] For details of the campaign see https://www.royalhampshireregiment.org/about-the-museum/timeline/19th-battalion-russia-1919/.  Also see his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].