Fonds MS-2-351 - John S. Roper and Gladys Una Smith fonds

John Shenstone Roper was born in St. John's, Newfoundland, but was largely educated in Halifax, attending first Halifax County Academy and then Dalhousie University, where he earned a BA in 1910, an MA in 1911 (by examination in Shakespeare), and an LLB in 1913. He was editor of The Dalhousie Gazette and, while at law school, served as a lieutenant with the Dalhousie branch of the Canadian Officers' Training Corp (COTC). Roper practised law in Halifax for several years before receiving a commission in the 85th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. After various assignments at home, he was made an acting captain in 1917 and sent overseas in early 1918, where he fought in France and was awarded the Military Cross. He continued his military involvement after returning to Halifax, practicing law alongside serving as a brigade major and later the commanding officer of his former COTC.

He was a solicitor for the Nova Scotia Highways Board for three years before being appointed to the Nova Scotia Public Utilities Board from 1928-1938. He sat on the Board of Governors for Dalhousie University, served as secretary-treasurer of The Dalhousie Review, and was a longtime member of the Dalhousie Alumni Society. He also was president of the Studley Quoits Club for some time in the 1930s.

John Roper was married to Gladys Una Smith in 1915, whom he met when they were both students at Dalhousie. Their marriage ended in divorce with no children. He died at Camp Hill Military Hospital in 1946.

Gladys Una Smith was born in 1893 in Halifax to J. Harry and Emma Smith. She was educated at Dalhousie University, receiving a BA in 1911 and an MA in 1912 (by examination in Shakespeare_. While she was at Dalhousie she met John Shenstone Roper, whom she married in 1915. Their marriage ended in divorce with no children.