Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Roper, a publican and grazier, born 1859 in Hoton, Leicestershire and his wife Ann Jane Roper (nee Dickins, married in the 2nd quarter of 1883 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district)), born 1861 in Loughborough, Leicestershire. Albert Edward, a schoolboy, was born in the 1st quarter of 1886 in Rempstone, Nottinghamshire, his siblings were, Florrie, born 1887 and Donald, born 1888, both his siblings were born in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at Twyford, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Albert was residing in the family home at 11, Cromwell Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, together with his mother and siblings, Florrie, Donald, Edith, born 1891 at John O’ Gaunt, Leicestershire, Kathleen, born 1892, Elsie, born 1894, Frances Jena, born 1896, Gilbert, born 1897 and Idris Madge, born 1899, the latter five siblings were all born in Pickwell, Leicestershire, and Aldyth Galeks, born 1900 in Melton Mowbray, Albert’s father was a serving soldier and was overseas. In April 1911 Albert was absent from the family home at 28, Algernon Road, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his mother and siblings, Donald, a shoe trade laster, Edith, a wool trade spinning mill worker, Elsie, a wool trade spinning mill worker, Frances, a wool trade spinning mill worker, Gilbert, a schoolboy, Idris, a schoolgirl and Aldyth, a schoolgirl.
On Friday November 10th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MORE MELTONIANS KILLED. – PTE. A. E. ROPER. (A photograph accompanied the article). – Last Friday morning Mrs. Roper, 23, Algernon-rd., Melton Mowbray, received official notification that her eldest son, Pte. Albert Edward Roper, of the South African Infantry, had died of wounds. Deceased formerly belonged to the old Volunteers and subsequently to the Territorial’s. Some eight or nine years ago he left Melton to join his father, who was farming in the Orange Free State, but shortly after his arrival in South Africa he decided to go in for mining. On war being declared, he joined the South African Imperial Light Horse, and when the rebellion broke out they were rushed from Johannesburg right up to Prescoe, in the north province of Cape Colony. The reason for this was because of the treachery of General Marita who had handed over to the enemy all the men with whom he was entrusted for the purpose of attacking the Germans. After a fortnight’s journey he landed there with other troops which had been dispatched in order to prevent Marita coming down with his forces to invade the South African Union. The first time they met him with his rebels and German forces and pom poms was at a place called Keimon, and several skirmishes ensued between there and the German South West border until they heard that the rebellion had finished. They then tried to stop Kemp, the Burgher General, and that encounter lost all their officers but one, and eight men. Both horses and men were without water for 36 hours. He (Pte. Roper) acted as guard over two German prisoners and 17 rebels. Having chased Kemp also to the German border, they retired to Cape Town remaining there ten days prior to removing to Walfish Bay, where matters were uneventful. A fortnight later they advanced to the German port, and several of their men and horses lost their lives while going through the narrow passes owing to the explosions of mines which had been laid. They arrived there to find that the place had been evacuated, the enemy having taken up a position three miles away. The long journey of 500 miles through the bush occupied from January to May, and the troops and horses suffered terribly from hunger and thirst, as at one time they were short of food and water for 61 hours at a stretch. They were compelled to exist on what they could gather, and his horse was without water for two and a half days, but eventually they arrived safely at their destination, and halted to await the announcement when a general advance was ordered. General Botha had arranged his forces so skilfully that they were advancing from four different directions, with the result that the rebels were fairly caught in a trap. Their idea was evidently to retire into Portuguese territory, but they found themselves suddenly surrounded, thus ending the rebellion. General Botha’s troops then had a long march back. Pte. Roper then returned to England, and came home on a week’s leave in January, during which one of our representatives had an interesting chat with him, and obtained the above facts relating to his experiences in South Africa. As there was no further use for the cavalry, he joined the South African Infantry, and went out with them to the front last August. Pte. Roper was 30 years of age, and before leaving Melton he was employed at Messrs. Smith, Faire, and Co’s shoe factory. Much sympathy will be felt for his bereaved relatives, and also for his fiancée, Miss White, 93, Saxby-rd., Melton.
On Friday October 12th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. ROPER.- In loving memory of Pte. A. E. Roper, South African Infantry, died of wounds in France, Oct 13th 1916. Today recalls sad memories. Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers. In the same issue the following further article was published under the same heading. ROPER.- In loving memory of Pte. A. E. Roper, South African Infantry, died of wounds in France, Oct. 13th 1916. Duty nobly done. Hilda.
On Friday October 18th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. ROPER. – In loving memory of Pte. A. Roper, S.A.I., who died of wounds Oct. 13th, 1916.
Today recalls sad memories.
From his loving Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters.
ROPER. – In remembrance of Pte. A. E. Roper, South African Infantry, died of wounds in France, Oct. 13th, 1916.
Fondly remembered by Hilda.
95, Saxby Road.