Description

For sale is a set of medals comprising British War and Victory Medals (1914 – 18) impressed named R.M.A. 16326 G.R. 2 W.F. HARPER.; Naval General Service Medal (G.VI.R.) with clasp PALESTINE 1936 – 39, impressed named CH. 24112 W.F. HARPER. R.M..; Defence and War Medals (1939 – 45) unnamed as issued.; Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (G.V.R.) impressed named CH. 24112 W.F. HARPER. MNE. R.M. Court mounted for display with copy service papers, medal rolls and pictures (2).

William Frederick Harper was born on 18/10/1900 in Workington, Cumberland, England. An engine cleaner by trade he enlisted into the Royal Marine Artillery on 23/4/1918 with the service # 16326. He saw the tail end of WW1 serving with the R.M. Supply and R.M.A. He continued to serve post war qualifying as a gun layer. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on Christmas day 1933 and was serving on HMS Sussex (heavy cruiser) from 18/7/1934 – 22/4/1937, qualifying for the Naval General Service Medal with clasp Palestine 1936 – 39. He had been issued the new service # CH 24112 prior to this.

On the outbreak of WW2, he was serving with the Chatham Division from 27/4/1939 – 7/7/1940. Posted to HMS Beaver (shore base HQ, Humber) from 8/7/1940 – 20/9/1945. His final posting was to the Chatham Division and demobilised on 30/11/1945 and died on 3/10/1976 in Bromley, London.