TOPIC:

Hello everybody.

I am joining the forum with a particular object in mind, and I hope that the expertise of existing members may be able to help. Having said that, I hope to be able to give as well as take in the future !

To the case in point, I am puzzled by a soldier who died in 1915 as a member of the Army Veterinary Corps. His name was Harry Harding, and there is pretty strong evidence that he won a DCM in South Africa. It would seem that he left the army after the ABW, but re-enlisted in 1914 after the death in action of his two younger brothers, and he himself died in Egypt in 1915. Neither his grave nor Commonwealth War Graves commemoration bear any reference to a DCM though.

I have some information that he would "re-enact" the attempts to recover Longs guns, using farmhorses on local meadows.
If this indicates that he was at Colenso, then the most likely candidate would seem to be a Dvr N Harding of 7th Bty RFA, the battery having been present at Colenso, though this Harding won his DCM a few months later at Kimberley. (The initial "N" could well be a mistake.)
I am in touch with Harry's family, and I have mentioned him (Harry) in a book that I have written about a completely separate incident in 1913, where Harry gave evidence to an inquest into a police murder and suicide.

Any observations and comments would be welcome, and thanks in advance.

Hello Ed and welcome to the forum.

This is an interesting one.

23289 Dvr N Harding 7th RFA is listed on the DCM roll as receiving the award LG 19 Apr 01.
51822 Sgt GH/H Harding, 21st RGA is listed on the DCM roll and LG 19 Apr 01.

On the medal rolls 23289 Harding has the initial H (G being crossed out). He earned the clasps Relief of Ladysmith and Tugela Heights. A note says he was invalided out but this is crossed through.

51822 H Harding is a Henry. He didn't serve in the relief but was at Elandslaagte and the defence of Ladysmith.

Your suspicions may well be correct.

Ed,

23289 H Harding is a Harry.

There are service papers available for him. That should confirm the details:

HARDING HARRY 1878 — 1897 British Army Service Records 1760-1915 Netherabon, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England

I bet he rather liked the £20 Gratuity that came with his medal!

Frank,

What would that equate to in weeks of wages?

Ed,

His DCM was awarded for an action around the Tugela River, rather than Kimberley.