Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 31 May 1941

Killed in Action

Wombwell Sapper Out East

News was received last week that Sapper Robert Ypres Harper (25), R.E, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Harper, of George Street, Wombwell, had been killed in action in the Middle East.

Two days earlier his parents had received a letter from him telling them to keep their “chins up,” and forwarding a gift for his mother. Harper was named Ypres because on the day be was born his father’s brother. Private William Henry Harper, of the York and and Lancer Regiment was killed at Ypres in the last war.

Harper was an old boy King’s Road School Wombwell, and when he enlisted in April of last year he was employed at Wombwell Main Foundry. He was drafted to East last December and had rating cheerful letters home.

In his letter he said be expected to be home for his next Christmas dinner.

Harper was goalkeeper for Wombwell Foundry F.C. and at one time was associated with Wombwell Scouts and Wombwell Ambulance Division. He was a member of Station Road W.M.C., Wombwell.