Charles Pape

Sergeant, Machine Gun Corps

Charles Pape was born in 1879 in Hessle, Yorkshire to Alfred, a bricklayer, and Theresa, who was born in Germany. By 1891 the family had moved to 36 Chesterfield Grove in East Dulwich. Charles was a student at Alleyn’s until 1894 and, by this time was living with his parents at 34 Frankfurt Road, Herne Hill. 

After leaving school, he joined the British Army and saw service overseas during the South African War. He had married Winifred Ethel Marian Sutton at St John's Church, Croydon in 1909. According to the 1911 Census he then became an accountant, living with his wife at 35 Waddon Park Avenue, Croydon. They do not appear to have had any children.

When the First World War broke out in August 1914, he decided to continue his service and the joined the Machine Gun Corps as a Sergeant. During his time with the MGC, Charles served overseas on the Western Front and saw action in France and Flanders. In 1917, he took part in the third phase of the Third Battle of Ypres which saw the British forces push towards Passchendaele. Unfortunately, it was during this operation that Charles was killed in action on October 12^th 1917. He is buried at Cement House Cemetery in Belgium.