NAPPER, Arthur (1890-1916)
Arthur Napper, born on 11 September 1890, the son of Charles Napper and Matilda (nee Emery), was enrolled at Geelong College in 1909, also leaving that same year. He is recorded as a student of Scotch College, Melbourne from 12 February 1907 to 1909. He was born at 'Drayton', Sale
During World War I, Arthur Napper enlisted (No. 3289) on 6 July 1915 in the 7th reinforcements to the 29th Battalion for service abroad. At the time, his occupation was reported as bank clerk, and he was described as 24 Yrs 10 mths; 5ft 8 1/2 inches; 10 st 11 lbs; of dark complexion with brown eyes. On his enlistment papers he stated that he had been a member of the Scotch College Senior Cadets.
He was intially posted as a Private to the 10th Battalion on 24 November 1915, then to the 19th Depot Battalion, Geelong from 16 December 1915 to 25 April 1916 before finally transferring to the 29th Battallion (7th Reinforcement Group) at Broadmeadows. While at Broadmeadows he was admitted to Hospital on two occasions from 9 May 1916 to 13 May 1916 and 17 May 1916 to 21 May 1916 suufering from influenza.
On 22 August 1916 he was disembarked from the troopship Berrima in Devonport, England and marched to Larkhill the following day as part of the 8th Training Battalion. On 11 September he arrived at Etaples, France and on the 28 September became part of the 'strength' of the 29th Battalion. In France, he was appointed an Acting Corporal from 13 September 1916 but was reverted to the Ranks on 25 September 1916. A handwritten note on his casualty form notes him as Acting Sergeant during this period, though there is no other notation to this effect.
He was wounded on 3 December 1916 receiving gun shot wounds to the back and left foot and was admitted to a Casualty Clearing Station before admission to the 2 General Hospital at Havre on 6 December. He died of these wounds on 8 December 1916. He was interred at St Marie Cemetery, LeHavre, Haute-Normandie, France (Division 3, Row A, Grave 11).
Arthur's brother, Alfred Napper of the Australian Machine Gun Corps died on on 6 October 1918 of wounds sustained the previous day at Montbrehain, just before the end of the war. He left a widow, Joan Napper of 'Bon Accord', Sale. Alfred Napper was buried at Tincourt New British Cemetery. Alfred attended Gippsland College.
Sources: Australian War Memorial (AWM) - Roll of Honour Circular; National Archives Service Record.