Name
Harold John Harding
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/09/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
3544
London Regiment *1
2nd/16th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Plot I, Row E, Grave 32.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Beechen Grove Baptist Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of John and Kate Elizabeth (nee DANCER) HARDING of Watford.
His parents married 1892 in the Wycombe, Bucks, district. John died 1947 in Watford aged 79, and was buried 4 November in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Kate died 1958 in Teddington, Middx, aged 91, and was buried 6 January, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Harold was born 30 May 1895 in Watford, and attended Victoria Junior School, Watford; then Beechen Grove School, Watford, from 11 January 1904 to 23 January 1907. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 5 he lived in Watford, with his parents and one sibling. On the 1911 Census, an iron foundry clerk aged 15, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and one sibling.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Westminster; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and died of wounds received in action.
Additional Information
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Harold in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 30 September 1916.
Unfortunately, Harold’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London)
Bn. London Regiment (Queen’s Westminster Rifles).
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
