Main CPGW Record
Surname: HARPER
Forename(s): Alfred
Place of Birth: Carleton-in-Craven, Yorkshire
Service No: 27049
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 8th (Service) Battalion
Division: 23rd Division
Age: 22
Date of Death: 1917-02-10
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: VII. G. 23.
CWGC Cemetery: RAILWAY DUGOUTS BURIAL GROUND (TRANSPORT FARM)
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: CARLETON-IN-CRAVEN, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Alfred Harper (born 16 November 1894) was the son of William Edward and Mary Harper, née Whitham. Both parents were born at Carleton-in-Craven, Yorkshire. Alfred was the cousin of Gunner Fred Whitham (80543) (q.v.).
1901 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: Mitchell Terrace - Alfred Harper, aged 6 years, born Carleton, Yorkshire, son of William and Mary Harper.
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: Carleton House, 37, Gisburn Road - Alfred Harper, aged 16 years, born Carleton, Yorkshire, son of William Edward and Mary Harper.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Alfred Harper, 27049, York. R. Dead.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Alfred Harper, 27049, 2/York. R.; 8/York. R. Dead.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Alfred Harper, 27049, 8th Bn Yorkshire. Date and Place of Death: 10.2.17. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - William. £6 3s 7d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Alfred. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mrs Mary Harper. Relationship to soldier: Mother. Address: Carleton House, Barnoldswick.
A short biography of Alfred is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
HARPER, Alfred, aged 22 years, West Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Harper, Carlton House, Barnoldswick, killed in action, France, Feb. 10, 1917.
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Private Alfred HARPER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 23rd Division
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ROLL CALL OF THE SKIPTON DIVISION LIBERAL & CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATIONS, August 4th 1914 - August 4th 1916
Entry on Page 21
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23 February 1917
HARPER – Killed in action in France, 10th February, Private Alfred Harper, son of Cr. and Mrs. W. E. Harper, Carlton House, Barnoldswick, aged 22 years.
23 February 1917
BARNOLDSWICK – CR. HARPER’S SON KILLED IN FRANCE: PRIVATE ALFRED HARPER
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Harper, Carlton House, Barnoldswick, on Friday last received the sad news that their youngest son, Pte. Alfred Harper, had been killed in action in France on the 10th inst. He was 22 years of age and enlisted a year ago in the Yorkshire Regiment (Princess of Wales’ Own), being drafted out to France last August. The letter conveying the sad intelligence was from a non-commissioned officer of the same battalion (in which Pte. Harper was a machine-gunner), and read as follows:–
February 11th 1917
“Dear Sir – It is with great regret that I write to say that your son, Pte. Arthur Harper, was killed yesterday morning. I was not on the spot at the time, but from what I can gather he, along with others, were at their post with a machine gun when a shell from the German line got the gun and your son was hit in the head and died straight away. He suffered no pain whatever. Two of his pals were also wounded, one of whom has since died. We did all we could, and when darkness fell a party moved him down behind the lines where he was laid to rest in a soldier’s grave. I cannot speak too highly of him. He joined this Company when he came out, and wanted to be on the guns. He was at last given that chance and proved quite a good man for the job. His loss amongst all ranks is felt more than I can say – always ready and willing, and there when wanted. He did his duty as a white man should, and proved himself British to the last. Again, regretting and sympathising with you and yours in your loss.
“On behalf of my Company, I am, yours sincerely, SERGEANT GEO. LAWSON”
Prior to joining the Army, Pte. Harper was employed as a cloth-looker by Messrs. J. Windle and Sons Ltd., Crow Nest Shed. Reference was made to the sad event at the meeting of the Barnoldswick Tribunal (of which (Cr. Harper is Chairman) on Saturday.
02 March 1917
SKIPTON PETTY SESSIONS – THE LATE PRIVATE ALFRED HARPER
Prior to the commencement of the ordinary business of the Court, the Chairman said he wished to extend a vote of sympathy towards a member of the bench (Mr. Harper) who had lost his gallant son in the defence of his country. He was not the only son he had serving, and they regretted very much that he had been killed in action. They wished to offer to Mr. Harper their united sympathy in the loss he had sustained.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
23 February 1917
BARNOLDSWICK – CR. HARPER’S SON KILLED IN FRANCE
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Harper, Carlton House, Barnoldswick, on Friday last received the sad news that their youngest son, Pte. Alfred Harper, had been killed in action in France on the 10th inst. He was 22 years of age, and enlisted a year ago in the 8th Yorkshire Regiment (Princess of Wales’ Own), being drafted out to France last August. The letter conveying the sad intelligence was from a non-commissioned officer of the same battalion (in which Pte. Harper was a machine-gunner), and read as follows:– 11/2/17. “Dear Sir, – It is with great regret that I write to say that your son, Pte. Arthur Harper, was killed yesterday morning. I was not on the spot at the time, but from what I can gather he, along with others, were at their post with a machine gun when a shell from the German line got the gun and your son was hit in the head and died straight away. He suffered no pain whatever. Two of his pals were also wounded, one of whom has since died. We did all we could, and when darkness fell a party moved him down behind the lines, where he was laid to rest in a soldier’s grave. I cannot speak too highly of him. He joined this company when he came out, and wanted to be on the guns. He was at last given a chance, and proved quite a good man for the job. His loss amongst all ranks is felt more than I can say – always ready and willing, and there when wanted. He did his duty as a white man should, and proved himself British to the last. Again regretting and sympathising with you and yours in your loss.
"On behalf of my Company, I am, yours sincerely, Sergeant Geo. Lawson."
Prior to joining the Army, Pte. Harper was employed as a clothlooker by Messrs. J. Windle and Sons, Ltd., Crow Nest Shed. Reference was made to the sad event at the meeting of the Barnoldswick Tribunal (of which (Cr. Harper is chairman) on Saturday.
02 March 1917
SKIPTON PETTY SESSIONS – THE LATE PTE. A. HARPER
Prior to the commencement of the ordinary business of the Court, the Chairman said he wished to extend the sympathy of the Bench to one of their number (Mr. Harper), who had lost his gallant son in the defence of his country. Pte. Harper was not the only son Mr. Harper had serving, and they regretted very much that he had been killed in action. They wished to offer to Mr. Harper their united sympathy in the loss he had sustained.
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I have the death plaque for this hero.
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