David Tipper's elder brother Arthur, who was working prior to the war as an office telegraphist, attested and was enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 26th January 1915. His army medical examination took place in Bath and he was found to be physically fit but with an inability to flex his right elbow beyond 90 degrees due to an accident 15 years earlier. The examining doctor found this not to interfere with his work and decided to overlook this defect.

      Arthur was transferred to 23rd Division Signal Company, Royal Engineers on 4th February. It is not possible to know exactly what happened after this transfer but, almost certainly due to the malfunctioning right elbow, he was discharged on May 17th 1915 as being "not likely to become an efficient soldier, medically unfit for further military service".

      It is quite possible that his ability as a telegraphist might have been useful in a non-combat area, but the army authorities obviously thought otherwise. However, he did enlist during the war and thus earned his place on Col. Alexander's Roll of Honour.

     

     

23 January 2019