Name
Frederick Harper
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/09/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
13942
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
'C' Coy
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2C
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Great Offley Village Memorial, Not on the Lilley memorials, Not on the Kings Walden memorials
Pre War
Frederick was born in 1885. In the 1891 census recorded as Kings Walden, but in the 1901 census Lilley Bottom and in 1911 census Offley. He was the son of Anne Harper, of Lilley, Luton, and the late John Harper; husband of Elizabeth Mary Harper
The 1891 census records the family living at Putteridge Lodge, Wellbury, Offley. Frederick was 5, his father was 45 and a ploughman, his wife was 42. His siblings were listed as William (19) Charles (14) and Maud (8). By the 1901 census they were living at Lilley Bottom Lodge, Frederick now 15 and a farm labourer. His father was now a farm labourer and the siblings listed were Ann (22), Charles (24) and Albert (9).
He married Mary Elizabeth McDONALD in Offley in1909 and their son Leslie John was also born in that year. In the 1911 census they were living in Offley and Frederick working as a horseman on a farm. Their second son Albert G was born in 1912. Sadly, Frederick’s wife died in 1918, age 29.
Before enlisting he worked for Fred Foster, builder, Offley.
Wartime Service
He was in "C" Company, 1st Bedfords which were part of the 15th Brigade 5th Division. He was the first Offley recruit according to the Parish Magazine.
He was killed during the attack on Falfemont Farm which is approximately one mile south east of Guillemont. The weather was showery and an inch of rain fell during the day and the temperature was 66°F. The attack commenced on the 3rd September 1916 and included an attack on Wedge Wood. The farm had not been bombarded due to a mistake and machine-gun fife broke up the attack made by 13th Brigade, but was finally taken by the 1st Bedfords and 1st Cheshires of the 15th Brigade.
He body was nor found and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
The Hertfordshire Express reports on the 21st of September 1916 that Fred was killed in action on the 4th. It goes on to say that:
"When the big recruiting meeting was held at Offley in September, 1914, Private Harper was the first to respond to the Chairman's appeal for recruits, his example evoking a warm outburst of applause. Since then many other gallant Offley lads have taken an equally splendid part in the great war."
"Pte. Harper went out to France on April 1st, 1915. Being with the Bedfords, he has been in some terrible scenes, but never flinched the call of duty. He was home on leave last January for seven days, and his many friends noted that he had his usual cheery smile and good word for all, which was always his characteristic. He regularly wrote home every week, his last letter dated on the Friday before the Monday on which he was killed. Before enlisting he worked for Mr. Fred Foster, builder, Offley. His parents live at Lilley Bottom. His death leaves a blank that will be hard to fill. Two more brothers are in the Army, still being in England."
"The letter conveying the sad news was received on Saturday morning from Capt. S. Norrish, who wrote: "Dear Mrs. Harper, I regret to say that your husband was killed in action on the 4th in the advance. His comrades were able to see that he was properly buried." The officer, in conclusion, expresses his sorrow at losing him, adding "He was such a good man.""
Additional Information
His wife was Elizabeth Mary Harper who was buried at Offley on the 9th November 1918 aged 29 years
Acknowledgments
Jo Bayley
Adrian Pitts
