'For conspicuous gallantry between the 21st and the 30th August, 1915, at Kaiajik Aghala (Dardanelles), when in charge of machine guns. He invariably displayed great bravery and devotion to duty.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 14 February 1916

'In connection with the operations described in General I. Hamilton's despatch dated 11 December 1915.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 28 January 1916

Regimental number	7/516
Date of birth	15 February 1885
Place of birth	Papanui, Christchurch
Religion	Roman Catholic
Occupation	Farmer
Address	10 Gloucester Street, Christchurch
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	29
Height	5' 9"
Weight	161 lbs
Next of kin	Father, George Harper, Hereford Street, Christchurch
Previous military service	Served in the Volunteers.
Enlistment date	25 August 1914
Place of enlistment	Addington, Christchurch
Rank on embarkation	Trooper
Enlistment status	Volunteer
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Canterbury Mounted Rifles
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Lyttelton on 16 October 1914
	The Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment, Main Body, embarked on board two ships, HMNZT 4 'Tahiti' and HMNZT 11 'Athenic'. It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Final rank	2nd Lieutenant
Final unit	Canterbury Mounted Rifles
Fate	Died of wounds 12 August 1916
Age at death from cemetery records	31
Place of burial	Cairo War Memorial Cemetery (Row M, Grave No 133), Egypt
Medals	Distinguished Conduct Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry between the 21st and the 30th August, 1915, at Kaiajik Aghala (Dardanelles), when in charge of machine guns. He invariably displayed great bravery and devotion to duty.' Source: 'London Gazette' Date: 14 February 1916 Mention in Despatches 'In connection with the operations described in General I. Hamilton's despatch dated 11 December 1915.' Source: 'London Gazette' Date: 28 January 1916
Family/military connections	Brother: 14/109 Captain Philip Hamilton HARPER, New Zealand Army Service Corps; 7/517 Captain Robert Paul HARPER, Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment.
Other details	War service: Egypt, Gallipoli Embarked Egypt to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 9 May 1915. Promoted Corporal, Walker's Ridge, 13 June 1915. Wounded in action, 21 August 1915 (gun shot wound, penetrating taper of lung); embarked Mudros for England, 26 August 1915; admitted to Royal Free Hospital, 8 September 1915 (gun shot wound, neck); returned to Gallipoli (date not recorded). Promoted 2nd Lieutenant, Anzac, 21 October 1915. Mentioned in Despatches. Disembarked Alexandria, 2 January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Appointed Regimental Machine Gun Officer, 3 January 1916. Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal. Left for Canal Zone, 20 January 1916. Wounded in action, Canal Zone, 9 August 1916 (gun shot wound, abdomen). Died of wounds, 11 August 1916. Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous details	Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Canterbury Mounted Rifles/Main Body
Sources	Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 7880121