Somerset Light Infantry
Derek Johnstone has provided the following:
John Knapper was born at Hanley, Staffs in 1896. His parents were John and Eliza Dean Knapper. In 1901, his parents were living at 38, Crowhall Lane Hepburn, Durham where his father worked as a coal hewer in the coal mines. At this time there were six children in the household. In 1911, John was 14 and living with his family at 60, Howard Row, Netherton with his sisters Violet, 16, and Mary Ann who was 11 years old.
John, who worked in the coal mines, enlisted at Bedlington, a town close to where he was living at 33, Howard Row, Netherton.
Originally, John was assigned to the Northumberland Fusiliers with the number 14417 but was transferred to the Somerset Light Infantry. On his death his effects went to his mother Eliza at the request of his father. There are no indications to show John was married.
He is remembered in Bedlington on B15.07 and B15.26 page 124
