Born Hull, 1895. Son of Sarah Jane Lockwood (1849-1909) and Martin Raper (1836-1910). Son of an oil miller at Stoneferry. He had four brothers and two sisters.
When his parents died, He lived with his elder sister, Ellen Gregg and brother in law, at 3, Glencoe Villas, Stoneferry, Hull. He worked as a a labourer. Described as 5 foot, 7.5 ” tall, 157 lbs weight, 40-42″ chest, brown eyes, brown hair, Wesleyan religion, Good build.
He enlisted at Hull, on 1st September 1914. Served in the 2nd (Northumbrian) Bde, Royal Field Artillery, 42nd Bty. Posted to France, on 09/05/1915. Promoted to Lance Bombardier, on 8th June 1918. Killed in action, on 12/10/1918, aged 23.
Buried at Premont British Cemetery, France.
His army effects were left to his sister, Ellen Gregg, at 3, Glencoe Villas, Stoneferry, Hull (War Pension address).
His brother, Private, Joseph Raper, 13156, 8th EYR, was killed on 27/02/1916, aged 32.
