ROPER, Percy

Percy Roper was the son of Mr William Roper of 97 Stourbridge Road, Stambermill. He volunteered for the Worcesters in 1914 and was sent to the 2nd Battalion, who were involved in all the major battles on the Western Front from the outbreak of war. He arrived on the front line on the 18th July 1915 and by the Spring of 1917 had survived the Somme and had moved to the front line for the second stage of the Battle of Arras. Their position near the village of Croisilles faced a notably strong section of the Hindenburg Line and a co-ordinated attack was made on the 23rd April. Little ground was gained and among those who died of wounds on the 24th was Private Percy Roper. He was 21 years of age and is buried in St. Leger British Cemetery (C 28) and commemorated on the Lye and Wollescote and Lye church Memorials.