James's Story.
James Harper was born on 19th August 1883 in Birkenhead son of Donald Smith Harper, an accountant and Caroline Harper.
In 1901 James lived with his parents and one sister, Ruth, at 40 Poplar Road Oxton, he worked as a bank clerk
Ten years later the family had moved to of 30, Hill Rd, Claughton, Birkenhead. James was by then a bank manager of the Charing Cross and Shrewsbury Road branches of Lloyds Bank. The family employed one servant.
James was a regular member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and also a worker with the Brassey Street Mission.
He joined the ‘Bankers’ Battalion East Kent regiment as a private in May 1916. He then transferred to the Cheshire Regiment and attained the rank of Second Lieutenant.
During an attack on German positions north west of Merville, France, he was shot and died instantly. In a letter to his mother, his Commanding Officer described the events that led to his death –
‘…He was commanding two platoons in an attack on a strong enemy position. He only received the order to attack at 2.15 a.m., and the attack was at six. Nevertheless he made his preparations, and led his men over the top with utmost courage. Having crossed the enemy wire, which was uncut, he darted at an enemy machine-gun which was harassing our troops. This gun was firing through a gap in a very thick hedge. Nevertheless, your gallant son crawled through the hedge, firing as he went. He shot the machine gunner, captured the gun, and then organised a bombing party to pursue the enemy down a communication trench. Not content with this, he organised a position against a counter-attack. Subsequently, he was shot through the heart, and died instantly.’
Second Lieutenant James Harper is buried at Tannay British Cemetery, Thiennes, France and commemorated on the Birkenhead War Memorial, Hamilton Square and also at Trinity with Palm Grove United Reform and Methodist Church, Oxton.
James Harper on the Trinity with Palm Grove Church War Memorial.
James was entitled to the British and Victory Medals.
Research and memorial photograph by Chris Booth