FREDERICK FRANCIS HARPER
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 31st May 1913, Calcutta, India.
Died: 13th January 1941; age: 27; killed when an aircraft collided mid-air.
Residence: 1, Fleur-de-Lis Court, Carter Lane, St. Paul’s, London, E.C.4.
Occupation: Author.
Rank: Pilot Officer; Service Number: 86727.
Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 46, Squadron.
Grave Reference:
X.H.431.
Ipswich.
Father: Frederick Charles Harper, born 31st December 1875, Calcutta, Bengal, India. A Merchant.
Mother: Gwendolyn Louise Edith Maud Harper (nee Campbell), born 1892.
For many generations, the Harper family were prominent Anglo-Indian merchants in Calcutta.
Frederick’s paternal grandfather, Francis William Harper, born August 1840, in London, was a partner in the firm “Cuthbertson and Harper – Saddlers, Harness and Boot Manufacturers, of 10, Government Place, East, Calcutta and 1, Waterloo Street, Calcutta. Francis Harper died in July 1886, at Glenelg, South Australia.
On the 16th July 1920, 7 year old Frederick, his mother and father – a Merchant- and 4 year old brother William arrived at the Port of London. The Harper family had sailed 1st Class from Calcutta, on board the S.S. ‘City of Manchester’ of the Ellerman City Lines. Master D.M. Bremnel.
CENSUS
1921 The Cedars, 84, Wells Road, Bath, Somerset.
Frederick was 8 years old. He received Home Tuition and lived with his parents and brother at the home of his paternal grandmother and step-grandfather, a paternal cousin also visiting.
Alexander Joseph Bolton, 85 years & 4 months, retired Civil Engineer and late of the Indian Army, born Sydney, New South Wales, Australia – died October 1922, at The Cedars.
Frances Mary Pitfield Bolton (1st marriage Harper (nee Beater)), 68 years, born Beaminster, Dorset.
Frederick Harper, 45 years & 5 months, a Boot and Shoe Dealer.
Gwendolyn Harper, 29 years & 8 months.
William John Harper, 4 years old, received Home Tuition, born Calcutta, India.
Frances Ellen Mary Banyard, 16 years & 5 months, attended Chemistry Classes – Guildhall, born Calcutta, India (daughter of William Debonnaire Banyard and Martha Eliza Banyard (nee Harper).
1 female domestic servant.
On the 9th September 1921, 8 year old Frederick, his mother and father – a Merchant, and 5 year old brother William departed on board S.S. ‘City of Cairo’ of the Ellerman Lines Ltd., from the Port of Liverpool. They sailed 1st Class and were contacted to land at Calcutta. The Harper family had stayed at ‘The Cedars’ 84, Wells Road, Bath, Somerset.
Frederick and William were educated at St. Joseph’s School, North Point, Darjeeling, India, followed by a school in Windsor, England.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939
Frederick was an Author. He lived at Green Park Hotel, 29 – 41, Half Moon Street, City of Westminster, London.
Probate to Ian Ross McBean, a civil servant.
13th January 1941
Aircraft: Hawker Hurricane; Serial number: P3062; based at Digby, Lincolnshire. Frederick’s aircraft collided mid-air with Hawker Hurricane V6816 during a cine-gun air-to-air combat practice, almost overhead Barkston Heath airfield. Both aircraft crashed, killing the respective pilots. Frederick’s aircraft came down at Lod/Lodge Farm, Ancaster, Lincolnshire. Kenneth Markham’s aircraft fell at Belton Park, Grantham.
V6816 Pilot: Kenneth Edgecombe Markham; Sergeant/Pilot; age 24; R.A.F.V.R.
Aircraft information courtesy of John Allan.
Frederick’s brother, The Honourable William John Harper, was born July 1916, Calcutta, India. In July 1937, he joined the R.A.F. and saw action during the Battle of Britain. In August 1940 William was shot down, and crash in a field near Felixstowe, Suffolk. He recovered from his wounds and continued his service in the R.A.F. until his retirement in April 1949 with the rank of Wing Commander. William emigrated to Southern Rhodesia with his wife Elizabeth and their children. They settled in Gatooma, Mashonaland West Province where William had businesses in mining, farming and as an earth-moving contractor. William held strong conservative views and entered politics. He was a member of the Dominion Party from May 1958 – 1962, and then a member of the Rhodesian Front from 1962 – 1968. He signed the country’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1965. William believed in white supremacy and a socio-economic system. In 1979, when majority rule began in Zimbabwe Rhodesia, William left the country and moved to South Africa. He died aged 90, Cape Town, South Africa.
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