Feb 21, 1893

Born in Peterborough, Ontario to Hugh McChesney and May Jane “Jennie” (nee Allen) Harper

Nov 4, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59424 (temporary number 487)

Ø  Next of kin given as Hugh Harper, father, 26 Classic Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Jeweler

o   Later noted as Farmer

Ø  Currently a member of the 57^th Regiment, Peterborough Rangers, Canadian Militia

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Posted to No. 9 Platoon, “E” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “C” Company

The 21^st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

Jan 3, 1915

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal with pay

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Aug 22, 1915

While participating in a wrestling match, Lance Corporal Harper injured his left arm and was admitted to the Moore Barracks Canadian Military Hospital in Shorncliffe with a fractured left arm.  After setting the bone, a plaster cast was applied

Sep 2, 1915

Transferred to the Depot Company while in hospital

Sep 9, 1915

Transferred to the Central Military Hospital in Shorncliffe

Sep 14, 1915

The 21^st Battalion embarked for France while Lance Corporal Harper remained in hospital

Sep 25, 1915

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion for pay purposes while in hospital

Oct 7, 1915

Discharged from hospital for duty with the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Oct 26, 1915

Reverted to the rank of Private and transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 27, 1915

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 652 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Dec 29, 1915

While in the front line trench near Voormezeele, Belgium on the Ypres Salient John Harper fell and fractured the radius in his right arm.  At the same time, swelling occurred in his previously fractured left arm

He was evacuated to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid

Dec 30, 1915

Transferred to the Division Rest Station in Godewaersvelde, France

Jan 6, 1916

Transferred to the North Midland Casualty Clearing Station for treatment and admitted to their rest station at Mont des Cats

Jan 13, 1916

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance

Jan 14, 1916

Transferred to the Division Rest Station in Godewaersvelde France

Jan 26, 1916

Transferred to the No. 2 Stationary Hospital in Boulogne

Jan 31, 1916

Invalided to England and admitted to the Wanstead Red Cross Hospital, Margate.  In addition to the fractured right arm, atrophy in the muscles of his left arm is noted.

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion for pay purposes while in hospital

Feb 15, 1916

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

May 16, 1916

Transferred to the Granville Canadian Special Hospital in Ramsgate.  Patient complains of pain and weakness in his left wrist and hand.

Jun 7, 1916

Attached to the 1^st CCD (Canadian Command Depot) and posted to the Monks Horton Hospital for 4 weeks of Physical Training

Dec 1, 1916

Transferred to the 2^nd Canadian Command Depot for employment with the CAPC (Canadian Army Pay Corps) in London. 

Appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal while employed with the pay corps

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Army Pay Corps in Sandgate

Apr 4, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Army Pay Corps in Hastings

Jun 16, 1917

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Aug 30, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Sep 2, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion and joined the Canadian Base Depot in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 54 reinforcements from England

Sep 18, 1917

After leaving the base depot he joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Villers au Bois, France

Sep 20, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal with pay

This appointment was cancelled a short time later

Dec 5, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, John Harper rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in the Suburban Camp near Villers au Bois

Jul 5, 1918

His medical classification was changed to B2, meaning he was not fit for combat duty, but was fit for duty with base units like medical or garrison outdoor duty

Transferred to the Canadian Labour Pool

Jul 21, 1918

Transferred to the 7^th Canadian Army Employment Company in Gouy Servins, France

Sep 1, 1918

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal with pay

Sep 21, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Oct 5, 1918

Granted an extension to his leave until October 8, 1918

oct 9, 1918

Rejoined the employment company from leave

Nov 20, 1918

Promoted to rank of Corporal and appointed as Orderly Room Corporal

Jan 24, 1919

Arrived at the CGBD (Canadian General Base Depot) in Etaples for return to Canada

Feb 2, 1919

Transferred to the General Pool in Witley, England pending return to Canada

Feb 13, 1919

Admitted to the Holborn Military Hospital in Mitcham with a diagnosis that reads Scabies

Mar 3, 1919

Discharged to duty from hospital

Mar 20, 1919

Transferred to Military District #2 at Kinmel Park pending return to Canada

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the SS Lapland in Liverpool

Apr 10, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario

Apr 15, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Acting Sergeant

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 289747

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 26 Classic Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 26 Classic Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Jul 8, 1936

Married to Dorothea Leslie Tully in Toronto, Ontario

His occupation was listed as Insurance Agent

Allen Harper was active with the Toronto 21^st Battalion Club and served on their executive

During World War 2 John Allen Harper served with the Home Guard and was employed as the Orderly Room Sergeant at Camp Petawawa, Ontario

Oct 1, 1968

John Allen Harold Harper died while a patient in the Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, Ontario and was buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto