“We will remember them.” – Remembering a fallen Capp ancestor.

On 24th August 1914, Pte William James Capp, age 28, was killed fighting in France during WW1.

He was part of the 21st South Lancashire Regiment and entered the war on 14th Aug 1914 as part of the British Exploratory Force, only 10 days prior to his death.

William was born in North Kensington, London in 1886 and prior to the war worked as a skilled labourer.

He was survived by a wife; Annie L Capp nee Smith and four children, James William, Ivy, Lily(twins) and Charles.

The British Army WW1 Medal Roll has William listed as being awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Medal Roll Index Card for Pte Capp,William 7542

1914 Medal Trio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William is honoured at the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial near Paris in France. His name is listed along side many other soldiers that died at the early stages of the campaign.

He is also remembered on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, which has a memorial certificate listed. Memorial Certificate for Private William Capp

His wife Annie remarried after the war to another soldier who served in WW1, by the name of Percy Monsell.

According to a family story, William’s brother Charles Harry Capp joined up with the Army in Nov 1914 after the war had started and also became a private in the South Lancashire Regiment.  The story goes that Charles actually joined up with the intention of finding William in France.  However, unknown to him at the time, his younger brother William had already been killed.  Charles survived the war and was discharged in 1918 as “being no longer physically fit for war service”, he was most probably was suffering from shell shock, he died in 1948.

If you are a descendant of William James Capp through his four children, James William b. 1909, Ivy and Lily(twins) b. 1911 and Charles b.1913, we would very much like to hear from you.

Or, if anyone has any information about 21st South Lancashire Regiment and their involvement in the early stages of WW1 we would also very much like to hear from you.

“We will remember them”

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