Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Albert Pepper, an agricultural labourer, born on the 28th March 1867 in Newton Burgoland, Leicestershire and baptised on the 17th June 1867 in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Swepstone cum Snarestone, Leicestershire (son of William Pepper and Matilda Booton) and his wife Jane Pepper (nee Young/Holt, married on the 5th February 1890 in St. Peter’s Church, Shackerstone, Leicestershire), born on the 26th September 1870 in Newton Burgoland (daughter of Thomas Holt and Young). John Henry, a schoolboy, was born in the July quarter of 1894 in Newton Burgoland, his siblings were, Thomas Albert, a schoolboy, born in the April quarter of 1890 and baptised on the 20th April 1890 in St. Peter’s Church, Shackerstone, James William, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1892 and Frederick Charles, born on the 29th August 1898, all his siblings were born in Newton Burgoland, in March 1901 the family home was at The Turnpike, Newton Burgoland, Leicestershire. In April 1911 John was employed as a colliery pony driver and was residing in the family home at Newton Burgoland, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Thomas, a brickmaker, William, a brickyard labourer, Frederick, a schoolboy, Sarah Hannah, a schoolgirl, born in the July quarter of 1901, George Saville, a schoolboy, born on the 3rd May 1904 and Arthur Edward, born in the April quarter of 1910, the latter three siblings were all born in Swepstone, Leicestershire.
John enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 12th September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 15060. He gave his place of birth as Newton, near Ashby, Leicestershire and age as 20 years 9 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as collier.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 15th September 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 20 years 75 days, that he was 5 feet 6½ inches in height, weighed 142 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 35 and 39½ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was brown, his vision was described as good his physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Thomas Albert Pepper, mother Jane Pepper, brother Albert and sister Sarah, of Newton Burgoland, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Leicester. 15/9/14.
Joined. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 16/9/14.
Posted. 9th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 28/9/14.
Deprived 12 days’ pay for absence. 3/11/14.
Died of wounds. (Accidental) in the 49th Field Ambulance. In the Field. 23/9/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 12/9/14 – 18/7/15. 320 days.
Expeditionary Force France. 29/7/15 – 23/9/15. 57 days.
Total Service. 1 year 12 days.
John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
John’s surviving service record is in very poor condition, the hand written information in some cases is barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of service.
This is an extract taken from correspondence contained inside John’s Service Record that relates to the circumstances of his death.
With reference to the attached and the death by accident of No.9/15060 Pte. Pepper J.H. of this battalion, I beg to make the following statement: -
Pte Pepper with several others was in the billets of the reserve Machine Gun Section in BIENVILLERS, He accidentally knocked his own rifle over which was leaning against the wall and one of the party picked it up, and the rifle went off. As the safety catch had not been applied by Pte Pepper the Division to whom the case was referred exonerated Pte Jayes from all blame and decided that no further steps need be taken. 7-10-15
Signed F. N. Harston
Capt. & Adjt. For
O.C. 9th Leicestershire Regt.
On Thursday, October 28th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “FALLEN LEICESTER’S.” – (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. J. H. PEPPER, 9th Leicester’s, son of Mr. A. Pepper, Newton Burgoland. Killed in action.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday October 8th, 1915

Newton Burgoland Soldier Dies of Wounds

Mr Albert Pepper of Newton Burgoland, has received intimation that his son, Private J. H. Pepper of the 9th Leicesters, has died of wounds received in action in France.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 09/09/2017

Transcript of commemorative postcard:

Swepston and Snareston.

Our third loss: Private John Henry Pepper ('' Harry''). Age 21 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. Son of Thomas Pepper of Newton Burgoland.

He heard his Country's call, ''Whom shall we send, and who will go for us?''
His answer : ''Here am I, send me. '' (Is. vi., 8.)
His career: Born at Newton Burgoland, educated at the Council School. From age of 13 was employed by the Ibstock Colliery Co., who speak of him as an excellent workman. A leading player with the Swepston Football and Cricket Clubs. Very much beloved by all his comrades. Enlisted Sept 3rd 1914. Wounded somewhere in France, Sept 23rd 1915. Died Sept. 24th, buried the following day.
The chaplain, writing on Sept. 23rd, says: '' I write to tell you with the utmost sympathy that Private Pepper is wounded seriously. I have just been to see him in the Field Ambulance. I grieve to have to tell you this. May God bless you. ''
Harry's mate, writing from the trenches, says: '' I have visited the place where Harry is buried. They have made the grave look very nice by putting up a little wooden cross and planting carnations and pansy roots.''
Lord Aberconway, writing of Private Pepper, says : ''A gallant soldier who gave his life for his country.''
Much sympathy is felt for Mrs Pepper, who has lost a brother killed in action.
Private Pepper will not have laid down his life in vain if his death should rouse his Newton companions to a more lively sense of their duty to their country. The country's need has never been greater than at the present moment.
For lonely graves along the country side.
Where sleep those brave hearts who for others dies.
Tell of life's union with the Crucified.
November 16 1915 Henry C. W. Townsend.

Photograph of Pte Pepper and commemorative postcard submitted by M. Hull, 2018.