John William Harper

John William Harper was born in Hatfield, Doncaster, South Yorkshire on 6 August 1916 to George Ernest Harper and his wife, Florence Parkin.

Harper was 28 years old, and a corporal in the 4th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, British Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 29 September 1944 during an assault on the Depot de Mendicite, Merksplas, Belgium, Corporal Harper led his section across 300 yards of completely exposed ground, with utter disregard for the hail of mortar bombs and small arms fire from the enemy. He was killed in the action, but the subsequent capture of the position was largely due to his self-sacrifice.[1]

His Victoria Cross is held at The York & Lancaster Regiment Museum in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England.

His remains now lie at the War Cemetery at Leopoldsburg, near Limburg, Belgium, Plot No.5, Row B, Grave No.15.51°6′44.17″N 5°16′6.47″E

External image

Corporal Harper's name inscribed on the Hatfield Cemetery War Memorial

His name is inscribed on the Hatfield Cemetery War Memorial.[2]

• British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External image

Photograph of Corporal Harper's tombstone in the Leopoldsburg War Cemetery

• CWGC entry

• John William Harper at Find a Grave