School Remembrance Projects

John (Jack) Harper, Driver
33rd Battery, 9th Brigade
3rd Canadian Division, Canadian Field Artillery

Personal Information: John (Jack) Harper was born on June 10th 1886, in Brockville, Ontario. He had three brothers: Dave, Carl, and Goldie Harper, who are believed to have all served in World War One. Harper's mother's and father's names are unknown. According to family records, Harper did not receive any schooling. Instead he learned to ride and care for a horse, as we would reading and writing. Harper was married to one Amelia May Kingston in 1904 and they had three male children. The three boy's names were Lloyd, Hilliard, and Edgar, who are all now deceased. In 1911, when Harper was 23 he joined the 41st Regiment, Brockville Rifles. He remained with the Rifles until he enlisted on October 28th, 1915. (Archives) He was 29 years, 9 months old when he joined. He was assigned to the 33rd Battery, 9th Brigade of the Canadian Field Artillery of the 3rd Canadian Division.

Military Movement: One year, 3 months, and 17 days after joining the war effort Harper was shipped over to England on the SS Metagama. He arrived in port in England on February 14th 1916. After arriving, he was immediately sent to Shorncliffe, on a training course (Archives). On May 23rd, 1916 Harper returned from command upon completion of the course. He then began training with his battery in the 9th Brigade. He was ranked as a Driver and would drive a jeep that carried officers(Family Record). On August 7th, 1916 the 9th Brigade embarked for France.

According to Canadian Expeditionary Forces records, the 3rd Division played a large role at the Battle of Vimy Ridge from the 9th to 12th of April 1917 (Nicholson, page 262-264 ). The Canadian troops were advancing north towards the town of Vimy and the 3rd Division Field Artillery was shelling the German trench Bois De Lo Folie. The artillery would fire right in front of the ground troops as they advanced (Nicholson, page 263). On June 6th 1917 Harper was attached as Groom to Lieutenant Colonel Garscaller in the field. (Archives) A Groom is one who takes care of an officer's horse. On June 19th 1917 John was reattached to the 33rd Battery, Canadian Field Artillery (CFA) for unknown reasons (Archives). The 3rd Division, along with the 9th Brigade was also at the Battle of Passchendaele from the 26th of October to the 10th of November 1917, at the Battle of Arras from August 26th to September 5th 1918, and the Canal Du Nord/Cambria on September 27th to October 11th 1918. John Harper, as far as records show, never had any front-line combat experience, but as a member of the 9th Brigade helped the front-line troops to many victories.

Medical Records: John Harper was not wounded at any time during the war or during his many years of service. Although according to a family record he was gassed at one of the conflicts. The only time Harper was in the hospital, to knowledge, was actually after the war in 1919 during the sweep through Europe. Harper made three trips to the hospital due to influenza or the flu. His first trip was on February 18th 1919 to the 52nd Staty Havre Hospital in France. He was bed ridden for almost three weeks. He was fit to proceed on March 3rd 1919. Three days later, due to his weakened condition, on March 6th 1919, Harper was admitted again into hospital with a milder case of influenza. He spent five more days at the 4th Canadian General Basingstake Hospital before being released on March 11th 1919. Harper's final admission into a hospital was to Disch on March 24th 1919. He spent three days there with the flu before being declared fit to proceed for the final time.

Lest We Forget: John Harper was 32 when he was struck off strength (SOS)on May 5th 1919. He did not die during the war, but came home with lung and breathing problems from the alleged gas attack of which there was no medical record. Harper was awarded the Good Conduct Badge during the war on October 5th 1917. He survived the Second World War also, but mainly because he was not allowed to participate due to his respiratory problems. Family reports state that he was assigned to the Queen's Cavalry in Ottawa during World War Two, but unfortunately no records have yet been found on his posting. John Harper died presumably between 1958 and 1962, unfortunately the exact date and location is unknown.

Primary Source
Military Files
National Archives of Canada
Family Interview

Internet
www.vac-acc.gcc.ca
www.archives.ca
www.cwgc.org

Text
Nicholson, Colonel G.W.L, Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-1919 ( Queen's Printer, 1964)