In Memory of Trooper ERIC TRISTRAM HARPER 35694, Canterbury Mounted Rifles, N.Z.E.F. who died age 40 on 30 April 1918 Son of George and Agnes Harper, of 11, Cashel St., Christchurch; husband of Beatrice A. S. Harper, of 8, Kilmore St., Christchurch, New Zealand. Remembered with honour JERUSALEM MEMORIAL HARPER, Trooper Eric, who was a member of the famous All Black football team, has been killed in action in Palestine. He was a married man about 37 years of age and went away with a mounted reinforcement about a year ago. He was the son of Mr George Harper, the well known Christchurch solicitor, who lost another son, Lieut Gordon HARPER, in fighting in Egypt early last year. Another son, Captain Robin HARPER, MC, returned to NZ badly wounded recently. [AWN 16.05.1918] P.20 One other member of the 1905 All Black ‘Originals' died in World War One - Eric Harper, who didn't play in the Test against England that day, but played in the Test against France later in the tour. He died in the Middle East in 1918 and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial. ERIC TRISTRAM HARPER Born 1 Dec 1877, Christchurch Parents George & Agnes Harper, 11 Cashel St, Christchurch Education St Patricks College, Wellington 1889 - 1892. Christchurch Boy's High Physical 1.80m, 80kg Province Canterbury Rugby Club First made All Blacks from Christchurch, 1904 AB# 112 Position Three-quarter All Black Debut 13 August 1904 v British & Irish Lions, Wellington aged 26 International Debut 13 August 1904 v British & Irish Lions at Wellington aged 26 Last Test 1 January 1906 v France at Paris aged 28 Rank Trooper, Canterbury Mounted Rifles Serial Number 35694 Died Tuesday, 30 April 1918, Palestine Age 40 Grave Listed on Jerusalem Memorial Ref Panel 1, no known grave http://www.nixonpictures.co.nz/All_Blacks_WWI_Eric_Harper.html
Harper, Eric Tristan played for New Zealand Internationals: 2 : 1904 BT+ ; 1906 F+ (2t) Eric Harper was born on 1 December 1877 in Papanui, son of George and Agnes Harper; later the husband of Beatrice A S Harper of 8 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, New Zealand. Played as a Centre/wing for: St Patrick’s College Wellington, Christchurch Boys’ High School, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island Profession: Barrister and Solicitor Remarks: Won NZ championships at 400 yards hurdles 1901 and 880 yards 1902. NZ tour BI, F and North America 1905-1906. He played 11 matches for the All Blacks, including 2 Internationals. He was a noted mountaineer who discovered a pass to the West Coast at the head of the Rangitata River in 1908. Canterbury RFU committee 1909-1910. His brother Cuthbert represented Canterbury in 1906. War service: 35694 Trooper (Sergeant Major in some references), Canterbury Mounted Rifles, NZEF. He was killed in action on 30 April 1918 in Palestine, while quietening horses during an artillery bombardment, and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel [Panel 1]. Eric Harper was the brother of 715/6 Sgt, later 2/Lt, Gordon Gerald Harper DCM, Canterbury Mounted Rifles, who was born at Papanui in 1885. Gordon Harper was a sheep farmer before the War. He served at Gallipoli, including the attack on Hill 60 on 21 August 1915, before being commissioned on 21 October 1915; he died of wounds in Egypt on 12 August 1916, and is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery [Grave M. 133].
