Pte Maurice Edward Napper
Private Maurice Edward Napper, G/1060, 7th (Service) Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, was born in Rudgwick in 1887, the son of James & Catherine Napper and husband of Edith A Holder (married Petworth June 1912).
Maurice enlisted for service at Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, on 3rd September 1914, joining the newly formed 7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. The battalion left Folkestone pier on 31st May 1915 and landed in Boulogne the following day.
At the end of October 1915 the battalion entered the lines in the area of the Loos battlefield (the Battle of Loos had opened on 25th September 1915). They were to remain in this area, and north towards the village of Festubert through the winter ahead.
At 9am on 17th March 1916 the 7/Sussex relieved the 8th Battalion Royal Fusiliers in ALEXANDER and BROOKWOOD trenches, facing the German lines around the quarries west of Cite St Elie. The relief was completed by 12.45pm. Considerable enemy trench mortar fire was directed at the battalions lines behind HAIRPIN CRATERS. Retaliatory artillery fire was attempted but it was found that the enemy mortar was in a very awkward position behind the crater mounds. The Battalion War Diary reports that Lt Stanley George Simmins and five other ranks were wounded.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Soldiers Died in the Great War note that two men of 7/Sussex were killed in action on 17th March 1916; Private Maurice Edward Napper, from Rudgwick and Corporal William George Stenner, G/904 from Binfield Heath. It is likely, therefore, that these two men were killed by the enemy trench mortar bombardment near to HAIRPIN CRATERS.
Cpl Stenner and Maurice were laid to rest in Vermelles British Cemetery, almost side by side.
Maurice Napper is commemorated on the Rudgwick Village War Memorial, West Sussex. Further information can be obtained at www.rudgwickremembers.com
Pte Maurice Edward Napper
Private Maurice Edward Napper, G/1060, 7th (Service) Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, was born in Rudgwick in 1887, the son of James & Catherine Napper and husband of Edith A Holder (married Petworth June 1912).
Maurice enlisted for service at Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, on 3rd September 1914, joining the newly formed 7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. The battalion left Folkestone pier on 31st May 1915 and landed in Boulogne the following day.
At the end of October 1915 the battalion entered the lines in the area of the Loos battlefield (the Battle of Loos had opened on 25th September 1915). They were to remain in this area, and north towards the village of Festubert through the winter ahead.
At 9am on 17th March 1916 the 7/Sussex relieved the 8th Battalion Royal Fusiliers in ALEXANDER and BROOKWOOD trenches, facing the German lines around the quarries west of Cite St Elie. The relief was completed by 12.45pm. Considerable enemy trench mortar fire was directed at the battalions lines behind HAIRPIN CRATERS. Retaliatory artillery fire was attempted but it was found that the enemy mortar was in a very awkward position behind the crater mounds. The Battalion War Diary reports that Lt Stanley George Simmins and five other ranks were wounded.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Soldiers Died in the Great War note that two men of 7/Sussex were killed in action on 17th March 1916; Private Maurice Edward Napper, from Rudgwick and Corporal William George Stenner, G/904 from Binfield Heath. It is likely, therefore, that these two men were killed by the enemy trench mortar bombardment near to HAIRPIN CRATERS.
Cpl Stenner and Maurice were laid to rest in Vermelles British Cemetery, almost side by side.
Maurice Napper is commemorated on the Rudgwick Village War Memorial, West Sussex. Further information can be obtained at www.rudgwickremembers.com