Stories about Carl
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From:
Stephen Harper
Brief History of Carl H Harper.
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 Carl was wounded three times. He was Transferred to the Corps of Hussars in 1917 & 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. 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"
This is the Original Funeral details Thursday 30th June 1921
Irish Military Train Outrage
Funeral of Walton Victim
The funeral of Trooper Carl Harper of the 10th Hussars,who, as already reported met his death in the Irish train outrage last week, took place at Walton on Thursday. The remains having been conveyed from Ireland to his home Margarets Street Walton, Felixstowe.
The deceased was the eldest son of Mr. H.G. Harper jobmaster and cab propieter. Margaret Street, Walton, a Grandson of Mr. Benjamin Horne, Butcher, Great Oakley. and eldest Grandson of the late George Harper, of Sproughton. Aged 24 at the time of his death, He joined the Essex Yeomanary just before the outbreak of war, and volunteered for the front, being transferred to the 10th Hussars. He served for the duration of the war in France, and was wounded three time. After the armistice he was with the Army of Occupation in Cologne, being detailed to the Grenadier Guards. But on his return to England he was posted back to his old regiment. He went to Ireland about 16 months ago. Being stationed at hare Park Camp at the Curragh, and was returning to camp after acting as escort for the King at Belfast on 24th june when the train was blown up at Avondale. He being one of the four men killed. Deceased was married last Christmas, and spent a month at home with his parents at Walton, but after his marriage he established his home at Beckerbourne, Kent near his regimental depot.
The remains were interred with full military honours, the coffin covered with the Union Jack, being borne from his parents house on a gun-carriage drawn by six black horses, furnished by the 8th Battery Royal Field Artillery, now lying at Ipswich Barracks. The firing and following parties were drawn from the 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment. (Royal Defence Corps). Under Lieut. P. Bridgeland, whilst the bearers and four trumpeters were supplied by the R.G.A. at Brackenbury Fort.
The mourners were the Widow, Mr. Mrs. H. G. Harper(father and mother0, Mr. B. Harper (brother), Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Adams (sisters), Mr. Benjamin Horne (garndfather, Mr. Herman Harper (Uncle), Mr. Benjamin Horne Jun,(Uncle) Mr. G Wright9Brother-in-law), Mrs Bricett 9mother-in-law), Mrs. Harold Horne, Mrs. Carl Horne and Mrs. Ben Horne9aunts, Mrs. Scales(aunt), and Trooper Barber, 10th Hussars, who had escorted the coffin from Ireland.
On arrival at church the cortege was met by the Rev. F.Tucker Harvey, vicar of Walton, after the service in the church the committal was read by the Vicar, after which three volleys were fired over the grave, and the trumpeters sounded the "Last Post".
The coffin was covered with a profusion of beautiful flowers, floral tributes being sent, in addition to those from the family, by officers of the Regiment: B Squadron, 10th hussars: Colonel Seymour, DSB., and Mrs. Seymour: the 10th Hussars; wives of the N.C.O's and men, 10th Hussars, Canterbury Barracks; the R.A.Mess Felixstowe; Mrs. Cornell; Mrs. Smith & Mrs. Cooper; and Miss Gray; Mrs. Murray and Dot; Mrs. Drain, Mrs. Wotton and Nelly; a friend at Canterbury; Mrs Fenn and Bob; nieghbours and friends etc.,