Name
George John Draper
25th May 1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/03/1917
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
203027
Royal Berkshire Regiment
2nd/4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VERMAND COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Civilian Sec. 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Walkern memorials
Pre War
George was born on May 25th 1888 to Charles and Georgina Alice Draper in Finsbury, London. On July 1st he was baptised in St Leonards, Shoreditch.
On the 1891 Census, aged three, his family lived in Scrutton Street, Shoreditch alongside his elder brother Charles Draper. In 1901, the family was living at 201 Finnis Street, Bethnal Green, In 1911, still at the Finnis Street address, George had undertaken work as a ‘under clothing cutter’.
Wartime Service
According to his Medal card, George enlisted on January 11th, 1915, and was assigned to 2/4 Bn of the Royal Berkshire Regiment. George first served as Private 10951 and overseas from May 30th 1915. He was eventually promoted to Lance Corporal and died of his wounds on March 31st 1917. He is remembered with honour at Verman Communal Cemetery.
Additional Information
After his death £1 10s 1d pay owing was authorised to go to his mother, Georgina Alice Draper, on 15 June 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £12 was authorised to be paid to her on 27 October 1919. It also records a charge of 2d against his account.
His pension cards record Georgina Alice Draper as his mother and dependant, living at 93 Sewardstone Road, Bethnal Green, London E2. She was awarded a pension of 7s a week from 16 October 1919. Later this address was changed to Elmside Villas, Walkern, nr Stevenage, Herts.
*1 The Walkern address was recorded after George’s death, and it is likely that he had no personal connection to Walkern.
Acknowledgments
Harry Hughes
Jonty Wild
