G/17485 Private William Henry G Piper, 7th East Kent Regt

In December 1917, Chailey Parish Magazine notes that Private G Piper is serving with the 16th Training Reserve Battalion. In April 1918 it notes that he is serving with the 20th London Regiment and in October 1918 it notes that he is serving with the 7th Buffs (East Kent Regiment) and has been gassed. This last entry is repeated up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.

G Piper is William Henry G Piper who appears on the 1901 census of England & Wales as one year old infant living with his family at South Street, Chailey. The family comprised 41 year old William Piper (a stockman on a farm), his 35 year old wife Barbara and their four children: Nellie Piper (aged 13), Olive Martha Piper (aged eight), Bertha Louise Piper (aged four) and William. William (whose birth had been registered at Lewes in the September quarter of 1899) and his two younger sisters had all been born in Chailey.

A medal index card  notes two numbers for William Piper – 77167 for the London Regiment and G/17485 for the East Kent Regiment. The medal roll in turn notes 77167 2/4 Londons Pte, G/17485 7 Bn. E. Kent