William Frank Tapper

Story:
William Frank Tapper was born on 8th January 1883 at Melbury Abbas, Dorset, the son of James Thorne Tapper and Emma Tapper (née Merrifield). By 1891 the family had moved to Long Burton, Dorset. William enlisted with the Hampshire Regiment as a Private on 10th January 1902, later transferring to the Dragoons of the Line (Service No. 5911) and during this time he spent time in South Africa from 1902 to 1908. He was discharged to the reserves on 9th January 1914 and took up employment as a Baker. He had married Annie May Andrews Hansford at the Parish Church at Wimborne Minster, Dorset, on 2nd April 1911. They went on to have two children. He was re-embodied on 5th September 1914 and rejoined the Dragoon Guards (2nd Queen's Bays) as a Private. (Service Nos. GS7970 and DR13349). After serving in France from 24 Apr 1917 he was eventually demobilized on 1st May 1919 but not before a spell in hospital with influenza. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By the 1939 Register he was living at 25 New Borough, Wimborne, Dorset, and working as an Assurance Agent. He died on 12th July 1959 at his home in 25 New Road, Wimborne, as announced in the Somerset County Herald dated 18 Jul 1959 stating he had been Chairman of the local British Legion as well as a member of the Wimborne Urban District Council.

Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.