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Private CH Harper Army Service No 537772

               

                     A Soldier's Journey

About Carl...

Born January 1898. Registered Birth in Wix. Tendering. Essex.
1901 Cenus living at 62 Windsor Road St Matthews,Ipswich. With his Father Horace age 25,Mother Madaline age 24. Sisters Daisy M age 5 & Muriel C age 2. Brother Benjamin G age 7 months. 1911 Census records Carl living with his Grandfather Mr Benjamin Horne at Ocean Wave Farm.Working on Farm when he left School. On 7th October 1914 enlisted in 1st Essex Yeomanary Cavalry Regiment Service No 1362. During WW1 was Transferred to the Corps of Hussars & was given a Second Service No 80985.
On 13th February 1915 sent to France as part of the B.E.F (British Expeditionary Force) joining up with the Royal Horse Guards & 10th (Prince of Wales Own) Hussars (This explains how Carl finished his career in the 10th Hussars). They formed the 8th Cavalry Brigade which was part of the 3rd Cavalry Division. In 1915 Saw action at the Second Battle of Ypres (Battle of Frezenberg Ridge) 11th - 13th May & Battle of Loo's 26th - 28th September.
1916 there are no notable records of Battles. 1917 Battle of Arras (First Battle of Scarpe) 9th - 12th April. On 30th March 1918 the 3rd Cavalry Division was split up onto 7/8th Cavalry Brigade as a dismounted unit in the Trenches. Later the 7th became a cyclist Brigade & 8th Cavalry,which is where Carl served.
Carl returned to England on 30th March 1919. All Army service Personnel Had to Re-enlist & Carl was given a Third Service No 537772,transferred to 18th (Queen Mary's Own) Hussars on 6th November 1919 & again transferring to the 10th ( Prince of Wales) Hussars on 18th November 1919.
Carl Married Laura Mepstead on 6th December 1920 at Bridge,Kent. There are no records of children.
6th June 1921 the 10th Hussars where sent to Northern Ireland,where they accompanied King George V on the First State Opening of Parliament on 21st June 1921.
On the 24th June 1921 Carl was killed by Rebel IRA Activists at Adavoyle,

Newry.Nothern Ireland.  A bomb was planted on the railway tracks just before the station killing 3 Soldiers,1 Guard,30 horses & injury 30 men.
On Tuesday 28th June 1921 Carl's Coffin was repatriated at his Parents Home in Margaret Street,Walton.Felixstowe.
On Thursday 30th June 1921 Millitary Funeral Service was Held at St Mary's Church Walton at 2pm.
His Commonwealth War Grave is at Walton Church,High Street,Felixstowe sited just through the main front gates south east corner.


"At the going down of the Sun we will Remember Them"

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