 Although that was Harper's only appearance in first-class cricket, he had appeared for Warwickshire's Second XI before the First World War,
and scored 115 to help his side to an 11-wicket win (it was a 12-a-side game) against Worcestershire's Second XI in 1909.He also umpired in the Minor Counties Championship in the late 1940s.At the time of his death, after a fall at his home in Birmingham, age 94 years, 186 days, Harper was the oldest surviving County Championship cricketer.