Previous Service Scotch College Melbourne Cadets Light Horse – 18 Months, then Lieutenant 25th Light Horse for 2 years
09/09/1914- Completed Application for Commission in AIF, recommended for Appointment by Commanding Officer
30/09/1914- Application recommended for approval by District Commandant
05/11/1914- Allocated to 10th Light Horse Regiment Claremont WA as Private
12/11/1914- Promoted to Sergeant 10LHR WA
08/02/1915- Embarked Fremantle WA aboard “Mashobra” bound for Egypt
04/03/1915- Disembarked Alexandria to Overseas Training Base Heliopolis Egypt
21/07/1915- Embarked Alexandria with Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces bound for Gallipoli
01/08/1915- Appointed Second Lieutenant Gallipoli
15/08/1915- Appointed Machine Gun Officer at Anzac Gallipoli
14/09/1915- Promoted Lieutenant Gallipoli
23/10/1915- Transferred to 9th Light Horse Regiment Anzac Gallipoli
29/11/1915- Rejoined 10LHR Mudros Lemnos ex Detachment to 9LHR
17/12/1915- Rejoined 10LHR at Anzac Gallipoli
28/12/1915- Disembarked Alexandria ex Gallipoli
30/12/1915- Rejoined 10LHR at Heliopolis
26/12/1916- With 10LHR to Serapeum Egypt
01/07/1916- Appointed Captain (Second in Command) 10LHR Egypt
06/07/1916- Transferred/Taken on Strength 3rd Double Squadron Roadhead Egypt
12/09/1916- Attached/Taken on Strength 3rd Australian Machine Gun Section Hod Gerila then Romani Egypt
05/11/1916- Promoted Captain in the field Egypt
19/06/1917- Mentioned in Despatches
24/10/1917- Transferred/Taken on Strength as Commanding Officer 4AMGS Farq Egypt
02/02/1918- Detached to Imperial School of Instruction Zeitoun Egypt ex Belah to attend 35th Machine Gun Course- Qualified as First Class Gunner
24/02/1918- Rejoined 4AMGS in the field Egypt ex School
05/03/1918- To AIF Headquarters Egypt on Duty
12/03/1918- Rejoined 4AMGS Belah Egypt ex Headquarters
31/05/1918- To Imperial School of Instruction Jordan Valley
15/06/1918- Rejoined 4AMGS in the field Egypt ex School
23/07/1918- Appointed Major in the field Egypt
25/09/1918- Wounded in Action Egypt (Gunshot Wound Right Leg)
25/09/1919- Admitted to 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance for treatment
28/09/1918- Admitted to Australian Division Receiving Station
08/10/1918- Rejoined 4AMGS in the field Egypt
05/03/1919- Mentioned in Despatches
24/05/1919- Admitted 14th Australian General Hospital Abbassia Egypt (Sprained Right Ankle) – Horse slipped and fell at Damanhour Egypt and rolled onto Major HARPER’s leg
12/06/1919- Marched into 4AMGS Damanhour ex Injury
10/07/1919- Embarked Kantara Egypt aboard “Oxfordshire” for Return to Australia
04/08/1919- Disembarked Fremantle
16/10/1919- Discharged from Service ( Appointment Terminated).
MENTION IN DESPATCHES (1) – 19/06/1917.
“Captain HARPER who was acting as my second in command of the Squadron went into action on 19th April near Gaza, performed his duty as OC of two troops of the Squadron on the right flank of the Brigade in a most gallant manner, keeping the four guns well up in the firing line during the greater part of the charge and I consider he deserves special mention for his fine work”.
MENTION IN DESPATCHES (2) – 13/03/1919.
He commanded the Machine Gun Squadron during the September and October operations. In the action at Semakh he brought the whole 12 guns into action in a very prompt and courageous manner, and under cover of their barrage two Squadrons were enabled to charge and break through the enemy’s defence. Although wounded, he remained on duty until the action was over”.
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 1 April 1920, Page 545, Position 52
London Gazette: 12 January 1920, Page 507, Position 81.
SERVICE MEDALS AWARDED
1914/1915 Star – No. 2683
British War Medal – No. 1741
Victory Medal – No. 1738.
MEMORIAL INSCRIPTION
– Brookton Stoney Crossing Honour Roll WA.