Private William Wyper

Private William Wyper, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was killed in action in Belgium, aged 19, on the 10th April 1918 during the German Spring Offensives on the River Lys. He had been born in Manor, Peeblesshire and was the son of John and Janet Wyper. He had been living in Clovenfords, Caddonfoot when he enlisted and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Flanders, Belgium. He fell in the fierce and tangled fighting near Kemmel to check the powerful German attacks and the Regiments involved became hopelessly entangled. When a new defensive line was established only 3 Officers and 20 other Ranks could be collected. Other troops re-joined later but most of the Battalion had become casualties including many Prisoners of War. ( His brother Thomas had been killed in action with the Seaforth Highlanders on the 19th July 1916 ). The photos show Allied troops in defensive positions.