Cornelius James Rapley

Story:
Cornelius James Rapley was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 12 Jun 1895 the son of Walter James Rapley and Mary Rapley (nee O'Neill).  His family had moved to Brixton, London by 1901 and Cornelius spent most of his early life in that area.  He had enlisted and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 44271).  He served some time in France and Flanders but had postings elsewhere as yet not determined.  He contracted Malaria for which he eventually received a pension for two years.  He was discharged on 14 Mar 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  He gave his address at the time as 5 Laundry Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  He married Hannah Kate Arnold in Shaftesbury, Dorset, during 1919 and they went on to have three children.   By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 77 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Driver (Car & Coach).  His death was recorded in Shaftesbury during 1960