Harry Robert Neapole, sometimes called Henry - this was his fathers first name. (b. 26 July 1866 in London, England - d. 15 October 1918 at age 52 in Pembroke, Renfrew County, Ontario). He was a photographer and was in business at Pembroke, Ontario from 1901 to 1911 at the "West End Studio" in Pembroke, Ontario. When Charles Newton Harding joined his studio in 1911 the name was changed to "Neapole & Harding Photo Studios" This studio was in operation at Pembroke, Ontario from 1911 to 1923. Harry took most of the early photos at the Militia Camp at Petawawa. He married Helen Amelia Wright (b. 1869 - d. 1943 in Toronto, Ontario) in 1905 at Pembroke, Ontario. Their first son - Charles Bertram Neapole was born 20 May 1905 in Pembroke, Ontario. Their second son George Edward Neapole was born - 11 December 1907 in Pembroke, Ontario. After his death in 1918, Helen moved to Toronto, Ontario - she died in 1943.
His father - Henry Robert Neapole b. 1832 - d. 1880) / his mother - Emily Rosina Kent b. 1843 - d. 1902) - Henry Robert Neapole & family emigrated to Canada in 1882.
In 1897 Harry Robert Neapole was living in Pembroke, Ontario. In 1901 he was boarding with the Harding family in Pembroke, Ontario - Harding's son Charles Newton Harding (b. 8 February 1861 in England - d. 1947 in Pembroke, Ontario) later joined him around 1911. Charles mother was Marthy / Martha Harding (b. 1823 in England) and sister - Ester / Esther (b. 1852 in England) and brother - William / John (b. 1858 in England / carpenter). The Harding family arrived in Canada around 1869. In 1921 Charles Newton Harding was living with his brother William John Harding at 54 Isabella, Pembroke, Ontario. Charles never married.
Ottawa Journal - 16 October 1918 - VISITS UNDERTAKER AND DIES SUDDENLY - Pembroke Photographer Suffered From Indigestion - PEMBROKE, ONTARIO - Harry R. Neapole died suddenly yesterday afternoon while conversing with Mr. R. Malcolm in the latter's undertaking rooms. There was no warning, though he had been receiving medical treatment tor indigestion, at which he had several attacks lately, but had been able ta attend to business up to the hour before death. He was senior partner at the firm of Neapole and Harding. photographers, and had been In business in the same stand tor over 33 years, and a member at the Trinity Church (Anglican) choir for 30 years or more. Deceased, who was 52 years of age came to Pembroke from London, England, when a boy. He was prominent In patriotic work. Besides his wife, who is a sister of Mrs. G Delahey, of Ottawa, he leaves two young sons, I3 and 10 years of age.
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During the 1800s, many military regiments in Europe and North America adopted a forage cap to wear with "undress uniforms." Undress uniforms were worn when the men were off-duty. When they were in the field, they had to forage for food for their horses, and these caps were substituted for the heavier and more ornate helmets or shakos. Because of their shape, these caps were dubbed "pillbox caps."
The NCO pattern, with gold-lace band, soutache & embroidered button. Other ranks caps were trimmed with mustard yellow. Corporals & OR's wore caps with a stiff form, while NCO's caps had a soft crown. The officers pill-box caps were trimmeed with gold lace but they were soft and lacked a stiff liner. They were more like a skull cap in appearance. The chin-straps were worn both under the chin or under the lower lip, at was a matter of individul preference. The pill-box cap was ALWAYS canted to the right and the lower rim had to be two finger widths above the right ear - not square on the head.
The pill-box cap is still used by the cadets of the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario. RCM is the Canadian equivalent of U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Canada's two other military colleges, Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, British Columbia & the College Militaire at St. Jean, Quebec, were closed due to budget cuts almost a decade ago, but neither one had a long history. Both RRMC & CMR were established as departments of RMC after the Second World War and provided only 2 year programs of study. RMC is a four year program.
Pre WWI ‘Canadian’ Artillery badges - Prior to the introduction of the khaki service dress in 1903 the Canadian artillery wore dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings and the pill-box cap worn without a badge. The other ranks khaki service dress was similar to the British pattern introduced in 1902 but with some differences including a stand up collar and seven buttons in place of the British five button pattern. Apparently when the non-permanent other ranks Canadian Militia cap badge was introduced circa 1910 it followed the design of the officers pouch badge but matching the 1 5/8 inch size of the authorized RCA Royal cypher cap badge.
In 1907 the Canadian Artillery Association decided to run a competition for their home units and invited Britain to send representatives. The National Artillery Association chose to send six officers and thirty men picked by a select committee from the various Corps throughout England and Scotland. The 1907 competition against the Artillery Militia of the Dominion of Canada was firstly to take place at Petawawa Artillery Practice Camp in Ontario on a range set up for 12-pounder guns, 4.7-inch heavy batteries and 5-inch Howitzers. Competitions in coastal defence firing were then to take place at Halifax, Nova Scotia, with 6-inch Breech-loaders and 12-pounder Quick-Fire guns. There were three prizes, the Petawawa Cup for the Field Artillery competition which was provided by the Canadians. The Londonderry Challenge Cup was for the Heavy Battery contest. The prize for the Coastal Battery competition was the King’s Cup, this had been personally provided by the King at a cost of £100. The Prince of Wales also donated £50 and the Duke of Connaught a further £25 towards the cost of sending the thirty men.