Napier, Jonathan
Second Lieutenant
7th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Killed in action on Thursday 16 August 1917 (aged 23)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 108 to 111)
Dromore (Co Down) War Memorial Subsidiary Plaque (added June 2007)
Journey of Remembering Belfast Book of Honour
Holywood Masonic Hall
BIOGRAPHY
Jonathan Napier was born on 20 March 1894 in Meeting Street, Dromore and he was a son of William and Elizabeth Cherrie (sometimes Cherry) Napier (nee Kinkead, sometimes Kinkaid) who were married on 28 September 1883 in Dromore Church of Ireland Church. William Napier, a blacksmith from Maralin was a son of William Napier, a blacksmith. Elizabeth Kinkead, a minor from Coolsallagh, was a daughter of Robert Kinkaid, a farmer.
The Napier family lived in Meeting Street, Dromore and in Belfast – in Israel Street, at 14 Upper Townsend Street and at 21 Lincoln Avenue.
William Napier worked as a blacksmith and farrier and he and Elizabeth had six children:
Josephine Mary (born 29 November 1884 in Meeting Street, Dromore)
Catherine Ann (Annie, born 12 November 1885 in Meeting Street, Dromore)
William Robert (Willie, born 21 November 1887 in Meeting Street, Dromore)
Thomas Henry (Tommie, born 20 July 1890 in Meeting Street, Dromore)
Jonathan (born 20 March 1894 in Meeting Street, Dromore)
Elizabeth Cherrie (born 27 May 1896)
William Napier died of bronchitis on 28 October 1917 (aged 55) at 21 Lincoln Avenue, Belfast and, after his death, Jonathan’s widowed mother continued to live there.
After leaving school Jonathan Napier worked as an insurance clerk.
Second Lieutenant Jonathan Napier served with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, was made temporary Second Lieutenant on 20 July 1915 and he was 23 when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Langemarck.
Second Lieutenant Jonathan Napier has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He is also commemorated on Dromore (Co Down) War Memorial; in the Belfast Book of Honour (Page 500) and in Holywood Masonic Hall.