Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Captain E. N. G. Harper, Lancashire Fusiliers, late Honourable Artillery Company - a minor county cricketer, who played for Lincolnshire against India in 1911

British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut. E. N. G. Harper); Defence Medal, unnamed; Coronation Medal 1953, unnamed, mounted as worn, very fine (4) £140-180

Edward Norton Guy Harper was born in Croydon, Surrey on 27 September 1883 and educated at Lancing College. In 1911 he played for Lincolnshire County Cricket Club in a match against India. The Indians defeated the minor counties side by an innings and 50 runs; Harper scored 4 and 12 with the bat and had bowling figures of 4 overs, 1 maiden, 1 wicket for 6 runs.

Employed as a Brewer and living in “Roseneath”, Gregory Street, Old Lenton, Nottingham, he enlisted into the Honourable Artillery Company at Nottingham on 30 November 1915, aged 32 years, 2 months. He had previously served in the H.A.C., 1900-07, before resigning due to moving to the Midlands. As a Private he was posted to the Army Reserve in December 1915 but was mobilised on 17 May 1916 and was advanced to Acting Corporal. He was discharged to a commission in the 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers on 28 August 1917 (London Gazette 17 September 1917). With the 15th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 11 October 1917 and was subsequently ranked as Acting Captain and Adjutant. Post-war he relinquished the acting rank of Captain on ceasing to be employed as Adjutant of the 115th Training Reserve Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers on 27 August 1919.

In 1953 he was awarded the Coronation Medal as Chairman (1952-53) of the Hartley Wintney Rural District Council. Latterly employed as a Pig Farmer, Edward Harper died on 4 April 1962, aged 78 years.

With copied service papers, m.i.c., genealogical research, cricket match details and death certificate.