Richard John Draper

 Driver Richard John Draper of the Royal Army Service Corps, 3 Divisional Ammunition Company, died on the 1^st of June, 1940, aged 35.

Richard, who had survived the Dunkirk Evacuation, arrived at Usk, Monmouthshire. He was traveling to visit his wife and children in Swansea. While taking a walk near his billets in a local beauty spot, he was struck by a motorcycle and sustained fatal injuries.  Richard was buried at St. Peter's church, Cockett. 

Birmingham Daily Gazette

Bradford Observer

Western Daily Post

Evening Post 

Evening Post 

The Birmingham Daily Gazette, Bradford Observer, and Western Daily Post each published the story on the 3^rd of June, 1940.  The following day, the 4^th of June, The Evening Post reported his death, and on the 7^th, the Evening Post reported his military funeral.

Richard was born in 1905 in St. Thomas, Swansea, the son of John Draper and Beatrice Alice Griffiths.

According to the 1911 Census, the Griffiths family lived at 22 Banbury Terrace.

1911 Census

John, aged 35, was employed as a Haulier, while Beatrice was 33.  Their children were.

William B., aged 13; Beatrice A., aged 11; Henrietta, aged 9; Richard J., aged 6; Queenie, aged 3; and Otto C., aged 1 year.

At the time of the 1921 Census, the family resided at 22 Banbury Terrace.

1921 Census

John, aged 45, was employed as a Haulier, while Beatrice, aged 43. Their children were.

Richard John, aged 16, worked as a haulier. Otto, aged 11, and Edward, aged 9, were both attending school. Edith was 4 years old, and Ronald was 2 years old.

So, what about the other children?

William Benjamin, 23, was employed as a Super-Heater Tube Tester at Mills English Superheater Units Works, but he was unemployed.  William had married Gladys Emily Hill.

At the time of the 1921 Census, they were living with Emily’s parents at 1 Mons Terrace, Norton.

They had a son, William George, who was born that year.

There are no records of both Beatrice and Henrietta in the 1921 Census.

In February 1928, Richard married Bessie Irene Jones at St. John-juxta-Swansea. 

Richard John Draper and Bessie Irene Jones 
marriage certificate
St. John-juxta-Swansea

1939 Register

As recorded in the 1939 Register, Richard had enlisted in the military. Meanwhile, Bessie was residing at 176 Gwynedd Terrace with her children.