James was born on the 28 January 1894, the second child of James and Georgina (née Northy) Tapper. An older sister Ethel M (1888) and younger brother Charles Reginald W (1899) completed the family unit living in Plymouth, Devon.  James gave a birth date of 28 July 1892 when joining the RN, making himself 1 year and 7 months older to be able to join as a direct entry Stoker Second Class and so missing “boys training” years.

He Joined the Royal Navy on the 19 September 1910 when he crossed the gangway of HMS VIVID 1 and became a Stoker Second Class. After basic training he joined HMS DONEGAL on 25 January 1911 for sea training , returning to VIVID 2 on 15 February, then drafted to HMS DEFENCE on 28 March and while onboard was advanced to Stoker First Class on 19 October 1911. He remained on board until 1 September 1913 when he returned to VIVID 2. On 23 September he had a draft to HMS CUMBERLAND and while on board volunteered for service on submarines.

He was drafted to HMS FORTH on 30 May 1914 and to HMS DOLPHIN on 1 July before joining HMS MAIDSTONE on 6 November 1914, then on the 1 April 1915 a draft to HMS ADAMANT for HMS E15. Two weeks later, on 16 April 1915, E15 left her base in Mudros and headed East to attempt a passage through the Dardanelles to the Sea of Marmara. On 17 April while dived she was caught in strong currents and ended up grounded on the Turkish shoreline under the range of Turkish heavy artillery. The Captain and five crew members died from a heavy artillery barrage.

Stoker 1c, James Henry Nash TAPPER, age 21, with Svc No.K8918 “Crossed the Bar” with five of his crew mates. Seven more died when held as POWs in Turkish prison camps.