Pte 35565 John Draper

John Draper was born in Aughton in the June quarter of 1890, the son of Richard Draper and his wife Alice (née Martland) who were married on the 22nd December 1885 at St. Michael’s Church, Aughton. Richard was a 20 year old farmer of Parr’s Lanes, whilst Alice was aged 20 of Butchers Lane, father Richard deceased. 

John was baptised on the 25th May 1890 also at St Michael’s Church Aughton.  

On the 1891 Census the family, all born in Aughton, are living on Parr’s Lane. His father, Richard, is aged 26, an agricultural labourer, his mother Alice is aged 25. They have four children in the household; Thomas 4 a scholar, Jane 3, Richard, 2, and John aged 11 months. 

On the 1901 Census the family have moved to New Lane, Vines Village, Aughton. His father, Richard, is aged 36, a farmer, his mother Alice is aged 36. There are now six children declared; Thomas 15, a farmers son, Jane 13, John 11, Robert 8, William 2 and Margaret 1. 

His father died, aged 45, just before the 1911 Census. 

On the 1911 Census the family have moved to Moss Lane, Lydiate. His widowed mother, Alice, is aged 45. She has six children living with her; Jane 23, Richard 19, a farm labourer, Robert 18, a farm labourer, Willie 12, at school, Maggie 11, at school, Pollie 10, at school, and Grandchild Thomas Haskayne 4. 

John was initially called up in March 1916 but he appealed the draft. 

Ormskirk Advertiser - Thursday 20 April 1916 

AN AUGHTON APPEAL.  

John Draper, of Parr's-lane, Aughton, (unattested) applied for exemption, stating that he was a wheelwright and Dutch barn builder. Appellant said he turned out on the farm, and also assisted in the blacksmith's shop on Government work. They had three workmen on active service. There were five brothers altogether, one had gone to the army, two were ineligible for the army, and the other one was on Government work. They had twenty-one statute acres of land. Mr. D. Draper, who also appeared, said that he Intended to appeal for another man. Temporary exemption was granted for one month. [Daniel Draper lived next door to them in 1891] 

He enlisted in Liverpool with The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 35565. According to his medal roll he shipped to France with another draft of the 17th Battalion of the K.L.R. after April 1916. At some point he transferred to 12th Battalion K.L.R. and went missing on operations around the 04th August 1916.

12th Battalion War Diary. 

AUCHONVILLERS SECTION. 

Aug. 1st & 2nd - Weather fine, enemy very quiet except for counter battery firing - 1 man killed by premature bursting of one of our own shells. Squadron of 24 allied aeroplanes passed over our line at 7p.m. on 2nd inst. 

Aug. 3rd - Battalion relieved at 5a.m. by 7th Bn. K.O.Y(orkshire). L.I., 2 Coys remaining in support at ELLES SQUARE, remainder in Barracks near MAILLY-MALLET. Whole Coys employed at night reclaiming old front line trenches. 

Aug. 4th to 6th - Large parties employed nightly on old front line, exceptionally fine weather, considerable aerial activity  

Aug. 7th - Battalion relieved by 9 Bn. L.N. Lancs. Regt. (25th Division) and marched to Camp in Chateau grounds at COUIN. 

John’s body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial.   

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.    

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”   

John’s service record has not survived but Soldiers Effects state he was Missing on or since 04th  August 1916.  

His mother received his Soldiers Effects, £2 9s 11d in outstanding pay and a £3 War Gratuity. The pension record lists his mother Alice at The Mount, Bramhall Road, Waterloo, and sister Margaret G. still at Moss Lane, no amount quoted. 

His family placed a notice on the second anniversary of his death. 

Ormskirk Advertiser - Thursday 01 August 1918 

DRAPER.—In loving memory of my dear son, Pte. John Draper, of Lydiate, 12th King's Liverpool Regt., reported missing August 4th, 1916, now presumed killed.  

Done is the face we loved so dear,  

Silent is the voice we long to hear,  

Far too far away from sight and speech, 

But not too far for our thoughts to reach.  

We little thought when lie said good-bye,  

It would be the last parting between you and I,  

We loved you in life you are dear to us still,  

But in grief we must bend to God's holy will. —From his loving mother, sisters, and brothers. 

He earned his two medals, the British War Medal and Victory Medal but they were returned, as address not known. 

On the 1921 Census at 19 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Alice is living with her daughter Pollie, who is now a domestic at the Exchange Hotel, Liverpool. She died, aged 72, in the March quarter of 1937. 

John is commemorated on the following Memorials:- 

St Thomas’s Church, Lydiate. 

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN  

HONOURED MEMORY OF THOSE  

FROM THIS CHURCH AND PARISH  

WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 

1914 -1919  

JOHN DRAPER 

We currently have no further information on John Draper, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.