British War Medal named 6844 PTE W J GAPPER E SURR R.
William James Gapper born in Bournemouth, Hampshire enlisted into the East Surrey Regiment numbered 6844 and after training was sent to France on 31st Aug 1915 with the 9th Battalion. On the 26th Sep 1915, the battalion attack near Loos but had eventually to fall back as they could not take the 2nd objective. The war diary records a heavy price paid of 12 officers and 405 other ranks as casualties. Sadly William who was in "A Coy" was reported missing in action and then presumed killed in action. His wife asked the Red Cross to search for him but to no avail. He was only 30 years old and is remembered on the Loos Memorial.
