Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Biography -
- Frank Henry Draper and Charles Gilbert Draper -

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, September 1, 1916 Page 1

A contemporary announces that Mr. Martin Draper, of Ventnor, has lost his youngest son at the front. Among those in the recently-published lists of wounded is the name of Private W.R. Dore, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dore, Upper Ventnor. Private Dore is in the Royal Surrey Regiment. We have received field service cards from Private W. Boynton and Sergeant R.G. Moses, both of Ventnor, stating they are safe and well.

Page 4

Ventnor Man Killed in Action.
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We regret to hear that Sapper Charles Gilbert Draper, of Ventnor, was killed in action on August 18th. He was 26 years of age and was the youngest son of Mr. Martin Draper, who is a member of the Ventnor Tribunal. Sapper Draper, before enlisting in the 24th Division Royal Engineers, was in the employ of Mr. T. Brading and was a well-known Ventnor man, he joined up on the out-break of war, and was first engaged in fighting on May 19th, 1915. Last Christmas he had leave and spent it at home. He was a former secretary of the Wesleyan Sunday School. At the Wesleyan Church on Sunday morning Mr. Meredith, who conducted the service, made touching allusion to his death and at the same day's meeting of the Brotherhood a vote of condolence was passed with the family. The news of his death was conveyed to his parents in a letter from Sapper Wainwright, deceased's chum, who wrote: "Dear Mr. Draper, - I expect that by the time you receive this you will have heard that your son Charlie has been killed. He was taking part in an attack on the 18th, and I sincerely hope it will comfort you to know that he died like a hero. Once before that day he had been buried by a big shell along with some more of the boys. He would not let anyone help him until the others had been dug out. Your son was respected and loved by all who knew him, and we take this opportunity of sending you our deepest sympathy in your sad loss." Lieut. Edward R. Foster, 61st Field Co., also wrote sympathetically: "Your son has been one of the brave Britons who have sacrificed everything for a principle. He was popular with everyone he came in contact with, and we all miss him - both as a fine soldier and as a fine man."

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, September 8, 1916 Page 4

Ventnor Tribunal
VOTES OF CONDOLENCE
The Chairman said before proceeding with the business he would like to propose a vote of condolence with one of their members, Mr. Martin Draper, in the sad loss he had sustained by the death of his youngest son, Sapper Charles Draper, at the front. He was sure that the members of the Tribunal were extremely sorry to hear of it, and that they would wish an expression of their regret to be recorded. Mr. Draper was a promising young man, and one who was thought a great deal of in Ventnor, and in the regiment in which he served.
The vote was carried in silence.
Colonel Guild said he desired to associate himself as military representative with all the Chairman had said regarding Mr. Draper, and to express sympathy with the family. He would also like with the permission of the Chairman to ask the tribunal to express condolence at the same time with the family of Rifleman Philip Russell, who fell in France. He was a brother of Mr. B.W. Russell, a member of the Advisory Committee, and his parents were respected inhabitants of Ventnor. He was sorry to say that Rifleman Russell left a widow and three children.
The vote was likewise carried in silence.

(not all the report has been transcribed)

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 4, 1918

Mr. Martin Draper, of Ventnor has received news that his eldest son, Sapper Frank Draper, R.E., who was reported missing on March 22nd, has died and is buried in the enemy's country. Before enlisting he worked at Basingstoke. Mr. Draper will receive the greatest condolence in this further bereavement. His youngest son [Charles] was killed in action at Delville Wood two years ago. At the meeting of the P.S.A. Brotherhood on Sunday a sincerely expressed vote of condolence was passed to Mr. Draper.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 18, 1918 Page 3

Ventnor District Council.
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When the Councillors had taken their seats, the Chairman said: Before we begin the business, gentlemen, I have to call your attention to the death of the son of Mr. Martin Draper, who was missing on the 22nd March and has since been reported as having died and been buried in the enemy's country. We have also heard with regret of the death of Lieut. Edward Clayton, son of the Rev. A.P. and Mrs. Clayton, who you will remember was reported wounded and in hospital in Germany and has since been reported as having died. I am sure we shall extend to them our very sincere sympathy in their great trouble. First in the terrible anxiety when their children were reported missing and then when the sad news was received that they were dead. I have further to ask you to record your sympathy with the relatives of Pte. Percy Gatrell, of Upper Ventnor, who was killed in action. He was 20 years of age and worked as a gardener at Winterbourne. We regret also to hear that Pte. Harold Smith, grandson of Mrs. Smith, Ocean View, has been killed in France, and I am sure we regret to hear that the brother of Mr. Russell, editor of the I.W. Mercury, has also paid the great sacrifice. At a time like this when the possibility of peace is before us, we feel more keenly how sad it is that the war should go on and that these daily losses should occur. But of course we are all desirous of ending the war to make a just and proper protection to all people in Europe and elsewhere and, therefore, however sad and however casual it may be to the nation, I am sure we shall all feel that for the sake of those who have paid the great sacrifice it is our duty to persevere and accomplish what we have set our hands to do. (Hear, hear).
A letter was read from Mrs. L. Benham thanking the Council for their sympathy in the loss of her husband.
(not all the report has been transcribed)