Orders, Decorations and Medals

Family pair:

British War Medal 1914-20 (2) (102883 J. Tapper, P.O., R.N.; K.8918 J. H. N. Tapper, Sto.1, R.N.) nearly extremely fine (2) £40-60

James Tapper was born in St. Andrew’s, Plymouth, Devon, on 23 July 1862. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 4 January 1878 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class a year later. He was promoted to Ordinary Seaman in July 1880 when on the Alexandra; Able Seaman in January 1883 on Superb; Leading Seaman in February 1889, on Flamingo, and attained the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class in November 1891, when on the Lion. He was discharged in August 1900. With the onset of war in 1914, he returned to the Royal Navy. For his services he was awarded the British War Medal.

James Henry Nash Tapper was born in Plymouth, on 28 July 1892, the son of James (above) and Georgina Tapper. A Vanman by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 19 September 1910. He was promoted to Stoker 1st Class in October 1911. He transferred to the submarine service in 1914, based variously at Forth, Dolphin, Adamant and Maidstone. Stoker Tapper, serving aboard the submarine E.15, died on 18 April 1915 as a result of injuries sustained the day before. The submarine was attempting to run beneath the minefields guarding the Dardenelle Straits, when it was caught in the strong currents and swept ashore at Kephez Point, directly under the guns of Fort Dardanus. The ship came under heavy fire, one shell killing Captain Brodie, another disabling the vessel, forcing the crew to surrender. Several attempts were then made to destroy the submarine to prevent it falling into enemy hands; this being eventually accomplished by a torpedo launched from a British picket boat. Stoker Tapper was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals. His name is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. Both with copied service papers and other research.