Charles Arthur Matthews Piper

PIPER Charles Arthur Matthews, Rifleman. 9555.

Source: Epsom and Ewell History Explorer

1/5 Battalion London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade). Killed in Action 15 May 1915, aged 21.

Charles Arthur Matthews Piper was born in Epsom in 1894 (GRO reference: Mar 1894 Epsom 2a 22a) to Charles Alfred and Ellen Mary Piper (nee Matthews). His parents had married in the September quarter of 1888 in the St George Hanover Square registration district.

In the 1901 census the family lived in 'Arlesford' Ashley Road, Epsom. Charles' father, also Charles was a 38 year old solicitor, his mother Ellen was 34. Charles had a 3 year old brother, Henry. The family employed a cook, a nurse and a housemaid.

On 13 December 1903, another brother had been born, John Egerton Christmas. John went on to enjoy fame as an artist.

The 1911 census found the family still living at 'Arlesford', Ashley Road. Charles and his two brothers were all still at school. Although it is not recorded on the census, Charles was a scholar at Epsom College, and is commemorated on the College memorial. Charles's mother stated that she had been married for 23¾ years and that she had given birth to four children, with three still living. Note: The birth of a 'male' Piper and the death of a 'male' Piper was registered in Epsom in the March 1895 registration quarter. The family employed three servants, a nurse, a cook and a housemaid. The census also recorded two visitors staying with the family.

In May 1913, Charles became a Territorial Army soldier, joining the London Rifle Brigade (LRB) at its Sun Street headquarters, having paid his £1 annual for the privilege of joining what was considered by many to be an OTC (Officer Training Corps).

Charles landed at Le Havre, France on 5 November 1914. On the day Charles was killed, 13 May 1915, the LRB was in the 11th Brigade, 4th Division. They were holding trenches on the Frezenberg Ridge in the Ypres Salient, which the Germans attacked, initially with heavy shellfire. The Official history states that:

'the front trenches of the 5/London (London rifle Brigade) and the 1/East Lancashire were flattened out and had to be evacuated'.

On 13 May 1915, 36 men from the LRB lost their lives, including Charles, killed in action, probably by shellfire. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate memorial to the missing.

The St Martin's church Roll of Honour states that:

CHARLES ARTHUR MATTHEWS PIPER, was killed in action in Belgium on 13th May 1915. Charles was awarded the 1914 Star, the British War medal and the Victory medal.