Henry Harper was born 1887 at Stillington, near Stockton, County Durham. One of 9 children of whom only 7 survived, all boys, he was the eldest son of John Harper born 1857 at Tipton, Staffordshire and Mary Ellen Britton of Carlton Iron Works, Stockton born 1865 whom he had married at Stockton in 1886.

Newly married his parent moved into South Street at Whitton, County Durham, where John Harper was employed as a bricklayer, a trade he continued to practice all his life, Henry at the age of 14 years was an apprentice to that same trade. By 1911 the family was living at 1, Morrison Street, Stillington, all the male members of the family who were old enough were employed at Carlton Iron Works at the blast furnace, John Harper Snr (54) and Henry (24) as bricklayers, John (22) as a keeper, Thomas (20) and Walter (18) as slaggers, the exception was Fred (16) employed by Briquet Mill making briquettes, compressed blocks of coal dust or other inflatable material to be used as kindling, Albert (13) and William (10) were scholars.

Henry Harper did serve his country, as yet details of his service and demise are unknown, he is not listed by the CWGC.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Henry Harper is remembered at Stillington on S137.01 and S137.02