Evan Kyffin Harper, Royal Garrison Artillery

Gunner, 150308, 438th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died of accidental injuries, aged 20, on 27 December 1918 at the 51st Stationary Hospital near Genoa in Italy. Although listed on the CWGC Debt of Honour Register, he does not appear on the Ancestry database UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919.

The Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) was an arm of the Royal Artillery that was originally tasked with manning the guns of the British Empire's forts and fortresses, including coastal artillery batteries. They became the heavy gun batteries attached to each infantry division and the guns of the siege artillery. From 1914 when the army possessed very little heavy artillery, the RGA grew into a very large component of the British forces on the battlefield, being armed with heavy, large-calibre guns and howitzers that were positioned some way behind the front line and had immense destructive power. The 438th Siege Battery was part of a large force sent to Italy in late 1917 to support the Italian war effort. Some of these troops stayed on until late 1918 and into 1919.

Born at Holyhead the son of Evan and Sarah Anne Harper (nee Lewis), of Dryll Farm, Holyhead, Anglesey. In 1911 the family lived at Dryll Farm, Holyhead and comprised Evan Harper (41), Sarah Anne Harper (42), Mary Anne (17), Evan Kyffin (12), William (10), Louisa (9), John (9), Earnest Rowland (7), Susannah Amelia (3) and Stanley Oswald (1). All the family originated from Holyhead and his father was a Farmer employing others. He had been employed as a Checker for the LNWR Company at Holyhead and had also been an active member of the Llaingoch Mission.

The North Wales Chronicle of 3 January 1919 reported his death in that he had died in hospital the day after he had been injured. Family research undertaken by his great-nephew, John Lees, confirmed that he had been accidentally shot during a disturbance between British and Italian soldiers. John visited his grave in Italy and has made a short film about his great-uncle - https://vimeo.com/382606363?fbclid=IwAR29SIviGPcgKzISdYxGkO-ChSpd00X0v0J20ljTwK_oLxSd9j_rRWI9JhE

Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Buried in the Arquata Scrivia Communal Cemetery Extension, Italy. Grave location I.A.11.