• Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:

July 14th, 1911 (Mildred/Saskatchewan, Canada)

Date of death:

June 8th, 1944 (France)

Buried on:

Canadian War Cemetery Beny-sur-mer
Plot: XVI. Row: G. Grave: 8.

Service number:

L/105515

Nationality:

Canadian

Robert James Harper was a member of the United Church. Harper worked as a farmer prior to his military service. He was single at the time of enlistment and lived in Mildred, Saskatchewan. His father, James Harper, was listed as his next of kin.

Harper enlisted in the Canadian Army on March 18, 1943, at the 12th District Depot in Regina, Saskatchewan. He was assigned the regimental number L-105515 and entered service as a Private. His attestation papers show that he had no prior military experience and had completed Grade 7 in school. He spoke and read English fluently and had no known medical conditions at the time of enlistment. His physical examination recorded him as six feet tall, weighing 162 pounds, with dark complexion, grey eyes, and black hair. He was classified as medically fit for Category A1 service.

Following basic training, Harper was transferred to the Canadian Infantry Training Centre and later posted to the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. He embarked for overseas service from Halifax on August 25, 1943, and disembarked in the United Kingdom on September 2, 1943. He was reported for duty shortly thereafter.

Harper participated in the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, as part of the 1st Battalion, Royal Winnipeg Rifles. Tragically, he was reported missing and later confirmed killed in action on June 8, 1944, just two days after the initial landings. A subsequent court of inquiry determined that Harper had died while a prisoner of war, and the cause of death was listed as murder.

Harper’s estate was processed through the Canadian military and probate courts, with his father, James Harper, designated as administrator. The estate included war service gratuity payments and personal effects.

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• - Service record(s)

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