Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1800, 1950-2002 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
8 m of textual records
ca. 500 photographs
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Joseph Harris Harper was born September 20, 1927 in Moncton, NB. Following graduation from Moncton High School he went to work for Hudson McMackin & Co., Chartered Accountants, where he articled for five years and attained his C.A in 1950. In 1951, he moved to Toronto and continued his work in public accounting with George A. Touche & Co. Shortly after, he met Margaret Johnston and they were married September 18, 1954; they had three children, Stephen, Grant, and Robert. In 1955, he left public accounting to work for Imperial Oil Ltd where he worked in various capacities until his retirement in 1986. Harper was an Army cadet in World War Two and maintained a lifelong interest in the insignia of the Canadian military. Prior to his death he authored two monographs on military history: Old Colours Never Die: a Record of Colours and Military flags in Canada, (with Frank Dunbar, F.J. Dunbar and Associates 1992) A Source of Pride: Regimental Badges and Titles in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919, (Service Publications, 1999). Harper died April 12, 2003 in Calgary, Alberta.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Gift of Margaret Harper, 2003.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The Joseph Harris Harper fonds consists predominantly of materials gathered and created by Harper in his capacity as a historian of military insignia. The fonds are divided into five series representing Harper’s efforts on individual works and projects:
- Source of Pride
- Old Colours Never Die
- Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces
- Upper Canada Militia Units on Active Service
- Miscellaneous research
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
No restrictions on access.
Conditions governing reproduction
Archival materials do not circulate and must be consulted in the TMM Library and Archives Reading Room. Duplication of materials in the collection may be subject to copyright and other restrictions. Please contact TMM Library and Archives staff for guidance on reproduction.
Language of material
English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
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Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Fonds processed by Alan MacDonald, ca. 2005.
Language(s)
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
This AtoM record was created by Jason Nisenson, June 2015.