William Harper Service Number 3407 Rifleman London Regiment 8th (City of London) Battalion (Post Office Rifles)
William was born in 1897 in Belfast of parents Robert and Sarah Harper (nee Kerr). Robert was a drapers traveller. They had 4 children namely Edna, William, Kathleen and John and in 1901 lived at 27 Roseberry Road, Belfast. By 1911 Robert was a general labourer whilst William was a telegraph messenger and the family lived at 120 My Lady’s Road, Belfast.
William enlisted with the London Regiment in March 1915 and embarked for France on 18 August 1915. He was killed in action on 15 September 1916 and is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
The McQuiston church magazine in November 1916 records that one of his comrades said that, “William was one of the dearest fellows we ever had in out platoon”. (Further details are included from the December 1916 church magazine below).
William’s father Robert received a War Gratuity of £4.
William’s name is included on the Presbyterian Roll of Honour.
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