| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Walter Henry Harper joined the Army under the Derby scheme of enlistment in Nov 1915. He was 30 years old, married and a father to 3 young sons. At the time he was called to serve with 13th East Yorkshire Regiment in May 1916 his occupation on the Short Service Attestation form was given as small holder at Kilnwick and he gave his name as Henry Walter Harper. Mary Ann Harper registered the birth of her son, Walter, in 1885 in Pickering. Walter Henry, labourer, married Phoebe Wasling at St John’s Church Harpham in Dec 1908. The family was living at Watton in 1911 and Walter worked at New Farm. Their sons James and Robert were born at Bainton, their sons Walter and Lawrence were born at Kilnwick.
On 30 Sep 1916 Private 24451 Henry Walter Harper arrived in France joining his unit two weeks later. As part of the 31st Division, 92nd Brigade five Battalions of the East Yorkshire Regiment were preparing for the Battle of the Ancre. The battle began early on the 13 Nov with 12th and 13th East Yorkshires fighting side by side. The losses of officers and men of the 12th and 13th East Yorkshires on 13 Nov 1916 were severe, including Private Walter Harper who had been in France for less than 6 weeks, a 31 year old father of 4 leaving widow Phoebe with a pension of 28 shillings 9 pence a week. Private Walter Henry Harper was buried at Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, as was Private 14/84 William Herbert Harper, a Hull man who served with 12th Battaliion East Yorkshire Regiment. William Harper also died on 13 Nov in the Battle of Ancre leaving behind wife Edith, and one daughter also called Edith.
Two W H Harpers of a similar age, serving with the East Yorkshire Regiment who both died on the same day and are buried in the same cemetery.
Only one W H Harper appears on the Hengate memorial. William’s name is listed under the 12th East Yorkshires on the memorial in Beverley Minster. Walter’s name is remembered on the Kilham War Memorial where his mother Mary Ann Lacy lived
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |