Geoffrey Strachey HARPER (1911-1981)

Geoffrey Strachey Harper (1911-1981) was the great-nephew of Eugénie Sladden, being the son of her niece, Lilian Harper (née Butler).

Geoffrey was born at Weybridge, Surrey, on 5^th December 1911.  He grew up at Merlwood, Oatlands Park, Weybridge and was educated at Radley.

A letter written by his great-aunt, Polly Robinson, on 7^th May 1914, reveals that Geoffrey’s parents let out their house for 16 weeks, so Geoffrey and Monica, with two nurses, went to stay with their grandmother, Fanny Butler. 

In 1939, Geoffrey was working as a motor car mechanic in London.  During the Second World War he served as a flying officer in the RAF.

Geoffrey worked for Eagle Oil Company and was founder, chairman and managing director of International Car Hire Ltd.

Geoffrey married Josette Hélène Carew in 1960 in Westminster.  He died in Paris in 1981.