HARPER, Albert Edward
| Service Number: | Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Second Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 4th Pioneer Battalion |
| Born: | Cooktown, Queensland, Australia, 12 June 1895 |
| Home Town: | Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | St Joseph's College Nudgee, University of Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation: | Student |
| Died: | Killed In Action, France, 31 December 1916, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
Bernafay Wood British Cemetery, Montauban K 67 |
| Memorials: | Beaudesert War Memorial, Canungra War Memorial, University of Queensland WW1 Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 3 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 4th Pioneer Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1916: | Involvement 4th Pioneer Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '5' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Clan McGillivray embarkation_ship_number: A46 public_note: '' | |
| 1 May 1916: | Embarked 4th Pioneer Battalion, HMAT Clan McGillivray, Brisbane | |
| 31 Dec 1916: | Involvement Second Lieutenant, 4th Pioneer Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion awm_rank: Second Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1916-12-31 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Edward James and Mary Harper, of Tabragalbra, Beaudesert, Queensland.
Matriculated March 1913 in Science
A Promising Career Ended.
Old nudgee boy's patriotism.
When Lieutenant Albert Edward Harper was killed in action on December 21 last, the world was bereft of one whose future career gave promise of being an exceptionally bright and successful one. A son of Mrs. Harper, of Tabragalba, Beaudesert, the young officer— he had only just reached the 21st milestone of life- entered Nudgee College at the age of 9. That was in 1909. At this home of brainy scholars he achieved wonderful success. In 1909 he passed the Sydney University's junior, repeating the performance the following year. In 1912 he passed the senior, winning a university scholarship. In addition to his scholastic successes at Nudgee, young Harper also enjoyed great popularity among his fellow collegions. As an athlete, he was prominent, winning medals at handball and skippering the football team. He was also one of the editors of the "College Annual," but, perhaps, his best achievement was, in 1912, winning the oratory medal, a feat which earned him the commendation of the then Governor, Sir William MacGregor, and Brother McGree. In 1913 this promising boy entered the University as a science student, enlisting from there in August, of 1915. Going to the instruction school at Moore Park, Sydney, he quickly gained his commission, and eventually left in charge of the Pioneer troops. The father of the deceased is superintendent of the North Reef Light-house, and owing to his isolated position, is not yet aware of his son's death. Mrs. D. J. O'Mara, Mrs. A. Pope, and Miss Curran are aunts of the young patriot, who has paid the supreme price, and messages of sympathy are daily pouring in from all over Queensland to the mother and relatives.
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