Osmond Keyworth Harper - Lest We Forget

Osmond Keyworth Harper was born August 16, 1885 in Dublin, Ireland.  His mother, Harriet Harper, was living in London, England in 1915.  Osmond, or O.K. as he was known, was working as a surveyor’s chainman in the Revelstoke area prior to enlisting.

Osmond Keyworth Harper signed his enlistment papers on May 21, 1915, one of about 100 men from this area to enlist with the 54th Battalion in Vernon.  He was 29 years old, single, 6’ tall with auburn hair and blue eyes.  His religious affiliation was Anglican. His regimental number was 442098.

When the 54th passed through Revelstoke on its way to the front the local newspaper said that the largest crowd in the history of Revelstoke was at the train station to see them off.

During his time overseas Osmond married Lillian Harper of The Grange, Carleton, near Carlisle, England. He was treated at Shorncliffe Hospital for typhoid fever from the fall of 1915 until the spring of 1916, when he was declared fit and returned to duty.

Osmond Keyworth Harper died November 16, 1917 perhaps as a result of wounds suffered at Passchendaele or at the beginning of the Cambrai campaign. He was 32 years old.  At the time of his death he was a Private in the 54th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario) Regiment.  He is buried at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.  His name, O.K. Harper, is inscribed on the Courthouse and Cenotaph plaques.