Cpl John William Harper, VC, British WWII Hero
N 51° 21.420 E 004° 49.062
31U E 626561 N 5691094
Monument commemorating Corporal Harper and the attack led by him on Sep 29 1944 on fortified German positions in Merksplas.
Waymark Code: WMD6N2
Location: Antwerpen, Belgium
Date Posted: 11/27/2011
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Harper was 28 years old, and a corporal in the 4th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, British Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 29 September 1944 during an assault on the Depot de Mendicite, Antwerp, Belgium, Corporal Harper led his section across 300 yards of completely exposed ground, with utter disregard for the hail of mortar bombs and small arms fire from the enemy. He was killed in the action, but the subsequent capture of the position was largely due to his self-sacrifice.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at The York & Lancaster Regiment Museum in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England.
His remains now lie at the War Cemetery at Leopoldsburg, near Limburg, Belgium, Plot No.5, Row B, Grave No.15.
His name is inscribed on the Hatfield Cemetery War Memorial.
The memorial is accesible by feet or by bike. A car can be parked eventually close by the chapel @ N51 21.340 E4 49.560.