Harper's Story.
Birkenhead News 04 November 1916Private H. Houldin Killed.
Well Known Coal Merchant’s Son.
Mr. And Mrs. Houldin, of 14, Chatham Road, Rock Ferry, have received the official notice from the War Office (also a card from H.M. the King and Queen expressing their sympathy) of the death of their son, Pte. Harper Houldin, of the Cheshire Regt., who was killed in action during an attack on the German trenches. Pte. Houldin, who was 26 years of age, was a most popular young fellow, and was highly respected by all with whom he came in contact. He was the sixth of seven sons, three of them at present serving in His Majesty’s Forces. His brother Ernest, as we reported in a previous issue of the “News” was wounded and taken to Ionic Street Hospital, only a few yards from his home.
Pte. Harper Houldin joined the Army with his youngest brother last February, and after training proceeded to the front together last July, the youngest being in hospital sick at the time Harper was killed. The Houldin family are well known in the town, especially in the South End, being very large coal merchants and furniture removers. Pte. Harper Houldin himself was in business on his own account at Brunswick Street, Rock Ferry. The deepest sympathy is extended by a very large circle of friends to the family in their sad loss.