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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

John Parker Harper

In memory of:

Gunner John Parker Harper

September 2, 1917

Military Service


Service Number:

85157

Age:

23

Force:

Army

Unit:

Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

Additional Information


Born:

August 18, 1894
Montreal, Quebec

Son of George Dance Harper and Nathlie Sally Harper (nee Parker), of Toronto.

Commemorated on Page 251 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

I. A. 2.

Location:

Ablain-St Nazaire is a village in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, approximately 13 kilometres north of Arras. Take the D937 (Bethune Road) to the village of Buchez. Make a left turn along the D57. The SUCRERIE CEMETERY lies 1.2 kilometres on the left side of this road.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Photo of John Parker Harper– (From Stanstead College Yearbook, July 1919)
When the war broke in August 1914, Jack Harper was with a Government Survey in Alberta. Not wishing to enlist in the west he came home to Montreal, and in October 1914 enlisted in the 21st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery. He sailed for overseas with the Second Contingent, Feb. 17th 1915. He was at several artillery camps in England, and was first transferred to the Royal House Artillery and later to the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, and with that unit went to France in June 1915. 
This battery was kept particularly busy and Jack had only one leave of ten days from France. The unit was mentioned several times in dispatches for especially good work. They fought with the British and French forces along the Somme, at St. Quentin, Arras, Albert, Combles, Givenchy, Hills 60 and 70, but were joined to the Canadian forces shortly before they went sent to Lens. 
It was at Lens that Jack was killed. He was smoking in a dugout with three other men just after breakfast, when a shell came through and exploded in their midst burying them all. Jack was instantly killed while his three chums came out without an injury. He was buried in a cemetery just six miles from Lens, at Ablain, St. Nazaire.
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram September 1917. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram September 1917. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Montreal Star c.1917. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

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