Born in 1924 at Tupperville, Chatham Twsp., Kent Co. ON.  The son of William and Catherine ‘Carrie’ Harper of 485 Murray St., Wallaceburg, ON. The brother of Elmer, Lyle, Ruby (Pearson) and Rose (Rowland). Cecil never married.  He attended Tupperville School. He was employed at the Libby’s plant in Chatham before enlisting.

Cecil had gone into Normandy on D-Day 6 June, 1944 and survived unhurt. He was fine until 8 July then attacking the Germans occupying the city of Caen, (actually between the towns of Vieux and Caron and Les Buissons), he was with the Highland Light Infantry. On that day he was hit in the leg by a bullet. A stretcher had attended his wounded leg, put him on a stretcher to be taken to hospital. A Nazi sniper spotted him and shot the other leg. “The first wound was bad enough but the second one really made me mad for it put me out of action”, he said.  

The WN 17/08/44 reported that he had been evacuated from France to England in an aeroplane ambulance and he was recovering in a hospital operated by Canadian personnel. He had two bullet wounds,  and one leg was fractured, it was expect that he would remain in hospital “for some time”.

The article went on to say that his father had seen pictures of Cecil “with several other men, on that occasion he was carrying an anti-tank gun over his shoulder.” WN 31/08/44 

Reported wounded in action CDN 14 – 15/08/44.  An article in the WN 31/08/44(P) 

After the war Cecil was employed at the Skinner Laprise Construction Company.

Cecil passed away 19 Jan. 1988 at the age of 64 years,  with internment at Riverview Cemetery, Wallaceburg.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	W-RH, GOHS, CDN, WN date unknown
Supplemental Information	Son of Mrs. Carrie Harper of 485 Murray St., Wallaceburg, ON.

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