Edmund Roper was born in Southwark, Surrey in 1874. Throughout his life the names of Edmund and Edward seemed to be interchanged. He was the elder brother of Charlotte Roper, our great grandmother.
Edmund was a Sergeant in the Royal Marines, notably whilst assigned to HMS “Terrible”. He was in action in the Relief of Ladysmith, Natal landing guns to help relieve the siege.
When the Boxer Rebellion broke out, Sgt Roper re-embarked and went to China. He was wounded in the head Tientsin in 1900 and contemporary reports attribute his recovery to the skilled, professional care received at the time. His recovery unfortunately was not complete, he tried to re-enlist on the 2nd August 1914 but was declared medically unfit. A Post Mortem in 1922 states that he died of a Cerebral abscess after gunshot wound of head received in naval action in 1900. He was 47 years old.
“The Commission of HMS “Terrible” 1898 – 1902″ by George Crowe was published in 1903 and contains reference to Sgt Roper at both Ladysmith and Tientsin.
Naval service records provide us with information about his appearance and how it changed during the course of his service. On enlisting he was 5’ 6”, with a fresh complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes and a slightly freckled face. He was promoted to Corporal on the 1st April 1896 and to Sergeant on the 15th December 1898. On re-engagement on the 3rd May 1901 he was 5’ 9 , with a fresh complexion, brown hair and brown eyes! On final discharge from the service he was 5’ 10” and had a “scar from bullet wound on right temple” – we know this was obtained fighting in Tientsin.
Gillard / Wood Family History 