Who is Sergeant Patrick Harper from Sharpe's Skirmish and what is their importance?

Sergeant Patrick Harper is in charge of the riflemen under Captain Sharpe's command. He disobeyed Sharpe's direct order and broke the wine bottles, an act that turned out to be fortunate, as Sharpe later used the bottles to construct makeshift caltrops on the bridge. The caltrops played an integral role in defeating the French.