| Hepper | Albert James | | Major | HEPPER, ALBERT JAMES, Major, was born at Gibraltar 24 October 1839, 2nd son of Richard Lawless Hepper, of Gibraltar. He was educated at a private school; at King's College, London, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and entered the Royal Engineers in 1859. In 1867 he married Sophia Henrietta (died in 1907), youngest daughter of Richard Lees, of Oaken, Staffs, and they had five sons and two daughters: Sir H A Lawless Hepper, late Major RE (retired), born 30 January 1870, Agent GIP Railway, Bombay; Lieutenant Colonel L L Hepper, DSO, born 4 April 1871; Florence Sophie (married H Cradock-Watson, MA); Lieutenant Colonel E C Hepper, IMS, born 6 October 1876; Major A W Hepper, RE, born 5 December 1878; Margaret; Captain J E Hepper, RAMC, born 19 March 1889. He became Captain in 1872, and Major in 1881; was Adjutant of Auxiliary Forces, 1877-84; commanded the Royal Engineers on lines of communication in Egypt 1884-85, with the Nile Expedition. He was in command of the Royal Engineers with the Nile Frontier Field Force, 1885-86, being present at the action of Ginniss (Despatches, 3rd Class Medjidie, and the Khedive's Bronze Star, Egyptian Medal, and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order) [London Gazette 26 November 1886]: "For action at Ginniss. Albert James Hepper, Major, Royal Engineers". In 1887 he was promoted Lieutenant Colonel. From 1888 to 1890 Colonel Hepper was the Commandant of the Royal Engineers in Guernsey, and from 1890 to 1892 he was Assistant Commandant of the School of Military Engineering at Chatham. From 1892 to 1896, when he retired from the Army, he was a Member of the Ordnance Committee, and from 1897 to 1906 Engineering Inspector, Local Government Board. The 'Times' of 26 April 1915, says: "On 23 April, at 4, Durham Terrace, Westbourne Gardens, Colonel A J Hepper, DSO, RE, retired, aged 75".
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Engineers |
