Gunner Ernest Draper
L754 Royal Field Artillery (Burnley Howitzers)
Died of Wounds 4th August 1916
in France, aged 19
Lived at 28 Tunnel Street
Buried at Corbie Military Cemetery Extension ,France
Plot 2. Row A. Grave 38.
Commemorated on the Holy Trinity Memorial
Burnley Express 26th August 1916

FORMER SCOUT’S DEATH
MISSION WORKER IN THE HOWITZERS (Burnley Express 26th August 1916)

Mr. And Mrs. Richard Draper, of 28 Tunnel-street Whittlefield, Burnley have had definite news that their son Gunner and Signaller Ernest Draper (L754), of the Burnley and Accrington Howitzers, died on August 4th from injuries received in action. As we intimated on Wednesday, he died at the same time and in the same place as his comrade, Gunner Waddington, and was wounded on the same day as the late Capt. T. Riley. He was taken into hospital suffering from gunshot wounds, and he died as a result of amputation of the right leg and shock. Nineteen years of age; Gunner Draper was formerly a weaver at Messrs. Simpson and Baldwin’s shed and enlisted on May 15th 1915.He was actively identified with St. Oswald’s Mission Church and acted as librarian. He was connected with St. Oswald’s Scouts and was an artist of no mean order, having painted many pictures, and left many unfinished when he joined the colours. His father is a member of the Gannow Conservative Club and has been an energetic canvasser for the party. His uncle is Mr. John Draper, the well- known life-saver, and the holder of the Royal Humane Society’s certificate. His father has also saved many lives. Three of his near relatives are serving in the Army.
On August 5th Lieut R. Mercer wrote :- “As Capt. Riley was also wounded at the same time, I beg to convey to you the most sincere regrets of myself and the other officers and men of this battery, with whom your son was a great favourite. I can personally assure you that there was not a more efficient soldier in the battery, and his loss will be severely felt, for no matter how heavy the fighting you could always find him carrying out his duties as calmly as when on parade” Bombardier H. E. Rawson, writing on the same day, said “Please excuse me writing to you, but I do so to offer you the sympathy of all the officers and men, and we all hope that your Ernest will soon be well and strong again. As one who has known him a few years, working with him at Cowpe’s mill, I can tell you it has upset me, as I have always hoped that all these boys would come back safe and sound, especially the younger ones.”
Writing on the 10th Bombardier Rawson said :- “Please accept our deepest sympathy for the great loss you have sustained by the death of your Ernest. He was one of the best liked boys, and we all feel his death very much. It may be some relief for you to know that he is buried in a pretty little cemetery at Corbie by the side of our late battery commander, Capt. Riley, and one of his chums, Gunner Waddington. I will do all I can to see that his grave is kept neat and clean. It is marked by a cross and you can rest assured that everything