Name
Harry Edward Harper
1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/07/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
20056
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L'ABBE
II.D.18
France
Headstone Inscription
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ONE OF THE UNCONQUERED
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Great Offley memorials, Not on the Preston memorials, Little Brickhill War Memorial, Bucks
Pre War
Harry Edward Harper was born in 1895 in Preston, Herts, the son of William and Sarah Harper and one of 10 children.
The family had moved to Battlesden, Bedfordshire by 1901 where his father was working as a Gamekeeper. On the 1911 Census: Harry was living with family at Buttermilk Farm, Little Brickhill, Beds and although aged 16 he is not shown with an occupation. The family later lived at Hoo Farm Cottages, Offley
Wartime Service
Harry enlisted in Ampthill, Beds and joined the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.
He was wounded during the Battle of the Somme, (possibly during the Battle of Bazentin Ridge and the attack on Pozieres) and died from his wounds at the No. 36th Casualty Clearing Station on 23 July 1916. He is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £5 10s and pay owing of £5 18s 10d. Although pension cards exist there is no indication of the amount of pension awarded.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Philip Wray - www.prestonherts.co.uk/page137.html, www.bedfordregiment.org.uk,
