Born in Winnington near Northwich, Cheshire on 27/2/1888 son of boiler maker John Harper & his wife Sarah he was the third of their six children & lived most of his life at 145 Solvay Road in Winnington. He became a Blacksmith's stoker & later married Ada Elizabeth Anderson 2/10/16 at Great Budworth Parish Church.  The same year he enlisted into 469 Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery and his wife went to live with her parents in Royle Street Northwich.  He was posted to France about July 1917 & was dead in less than a year.  Probate of his will wasn't granted until a year after his death.  The couple never had any children and his widow never re-married, she died in 1953 aged 70.

edith freeman