Early Years
Harper was the son of William Harper Sr., a blacksmith, and Christina Brown. Differing sources claim he was born in either Tarbrax, Lanarkshire or Winchburgh, West Lothian. He initially followed his father into the blacksmith trade while also playing football for several junior teams. During the First World War he enlisted in the British Army and served with the 5th Brigade of the Scots Guards on the Western Front. Harper, an all-round sportsman, was brigade heavyweight boxing champion and captain of the Guards rugby union team when they won a brigade championship.
Read more about this topic: Bill Harper
Famous quotes containing the words early and/or years:
“In the course of twenty crowded years one parts with many illusions. I did not wish to lose the early ones. Some memories are realities, and are better than anything that can ever happen to one again.”
—Willa Cather (1873–1947)
“Porter: O.K., O.K., you win. I’ll marry you. How ‘bout it?
Lora May: Thanks. For nuthin’.
Porter: Now what kind of an answer is that?
Lora May: I don’t know. I just felt like it, that’s all.
Porter: We’ll do all right, kid. We’re startin’ out where it takes most marriages years to get.”
—Joseph L. Mankiewicz (1909–1993)