Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (3251 Pte. W. Tapper 1st. Bn. Dorset Regt.) minor edge bruise, nearly extremely fine £140-£180

W. Tapper, a native of Winterbourn Abbas, served with the 1st Battalion, Dorset Regiment on the Punjab Frontier, and was severely wounded suffering contusions in the Waran Valley on 16 November 1897- in this action the Regiment suffered 12 men killed and 10 wounded. For his gallantry that day (as well as for his previous gallantry during the attack on the Dargai Heights, when he rescued a wounded comrade under fire) Private Samuel Vickery, of the 1st Dorsets, was awarded the Victoria Cross, the only V.C. awarded to the Regiment. Tapper was discharged in 1903.