Ernest Crapper (Sheffield) -Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) - October 1917

In between walks it was a workday at Walkley Cemetery last Saturday (15th November 2014) and whilst we were tackling Section B, a colleague pointed out the family grave of one of his ancestors. The family name was Crapper and one of their sons Ernest  is remembered on the grave.

The family were local to the Walkley area of Sheffield as shown by the entries in

1901 Census

1911 Census

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission database gives the following information

ERNEST CRAPPER
Rank: Private
Service No: 205608
Date of Death: 12/10/1917
Age:36
Regiment/Service: Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) 7th Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 106 to 108.
Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Brother of Harry Crapper, of 76, Freedom Rd., Walkley, Sheffield. 

I also accessed Ernest's Army service record which is in rather poor condition - it stated that he was "missing" assumed dead on or around 12th October 1917. A brief search on the actions of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) 7th Bn. revealed at the time Ernest's death they were fully engaged in what became known as the Third Battle of Ypres or more commonly Passchendaele

"The German attack of October 3rd repulsed. October 4th: a successful advance. The 7th Battalion in action again. The attack on Poelcapelle: mud the chief obstacle"

I wonder if Ernest was swallowed up by the Flanders mud and simply disappeared? 

Needless to say I would be delighted if anyone could supply me with any further information on the family in general, and Ernest in particular.