Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday May 25th, 1917

WOUNDED IN “NO MAN’S LAND”

ELLISTOWN SOLDIER’S DEATH

Mrs Harper, of Whitehill Road, Ellistown, has been officially notified of the death of her husband, Pte. Wm. Edward Harper, of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, which occurred on May 15th from wounds received in action on 3rd inst, causing him to lie for some days in “No Man’s Land” before being brought in.

One of the nursing sisters, writing to Mrs Harper, states, “You will have heard by now about your brave husband. He lay for some days on the field of battle, but was able to crawl about at night and drink from water bottles lying about. His wound was only in the foot, so he said he did not suffer great pain, and had faith in God all the time. An officer brought him in to the R.A.M.C. post, and they sent him down to us. His foot had got blood poisoning in it by that time and he died from the effects of that and the long exposure. He seemed so happy and pleased to be in bed and taken care of that he never realised that he was not going to recover. He said of you, “Tell her I am in the pink, and hope to be about again soon. Give my love to her and the children.” After that he became unconscious and passed peacefully away. He had not really suffered at all, and was enjoying an orange this morning. With all sincere sympathy” etc.

The chaplain also writes that the deceased passed away on May 15th. He adds, “His eleven days in No Man’s Land had been spent with God, and he readily partook of the Holy Communion . . . . An officer of the Somersets tells me how almost impossible it was to get in the Oxford and Bucks wounded owing to the German snipers, especially if the wounded lay where your husband did, right up by the German trenches. Some stretcher bearers were killed trying to get the wounded in.”

A letter was also enclosed by the chaplain written by the latter at the dictation of the deceased, being his last message to his wife. He stated, “I got hit on May 3rd in our attack, when I was near the German trench. I took off my equipment, and lay in a shell hole for 5 days, and then crept out at night for three nights, and back again to the shell hole. I was found by an officer of the Somerset Light Infantry, who had me brought in. My fondest love to you, Willie and Silas (his two children). I am in good hands now, and hope to write myself shortly.”

Private Harper was 31 years of age and before the war was a miner at Ellistown Collier. He enlisted on September 14th, 191_, and had been to Salonika. He had fever and dysentery and was for a time in hospital in Malta, afterwards coming to England for about six months. He went to France only two months ago, after being at home on leave. His father, Mr Edward Harper, of Whitehill, Ellistown, has another son in France.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 17th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In sacred memory of Private W. E. Harper, died of wounds May 15th, 1917.

“Deep in memory, true in heart, you are always in my thoughts, dear husband.”

“’Tis sweet to breathe your name. In life I loved you very dearly; in death I love you just the same. God grant him perfect peace in that vast eternity.”

From his loving wife and two sons.

In memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. Wm. Harper, died of wounds, May 15th, 1917.

“Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee
Leave, ah! Leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.”

From the Family.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 9th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In ever loving memory of William Harper, the beloved son of Edward Harper, Ellistown, who died of wounds, May 12th, 1917.

“What peaceful hours we once enjoyed
How sweet their memory still;
But it has left an aching void,
The world can never fill.”

From his loving Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers.

In sacred memory of Pte. W. E. Harper, killed in action, May 1917, aged 31 years.

From his loving Wife and two sons, Willie and Silas.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 14th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Harper – In loving memory of my dear husband, Private W. E. Harper, died of wounds, May 15th, 1917.

“Let the winds of Heaven blow gently,
O’er the sweet and sacred spot.
Although you are so far away
Dear husband, you are not forgot.”

From his loving Wife and Sons.

Harper – In loving memory of Pte. W. E. Harper, died of wounds in France, May 15th, 1917.

“A loving son, and brother kind,
He was to us in heart and mind.
Cherished memories of one so dear,
Are often recalled by a silent tear.”

From Mother, Father, Brothers and Sisters.
118 Whitehill Road, Ellistown.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 19/10/2017