Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Grave: | Orange Trench Cemetery Monchy-Le-Preux | D.21 | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.124 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 1C GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | Military Cross | ||
Family :
Son of Edward Jackson Harding and Clarance Catherine Harding, of Exeter. Born at Norwich.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 13th (Service) Battalion The Royal Fusiliers |
13th (Service) Battalion Formed at Hounslow on 13 September 1914 as part of K3 and attached as Army Troops to 24th Division. March 1915 :111th Brigade in 37th Division. Landed at Boulogne on 30 July 1915. |
| Action : The Arras Offensive and associated actions |
9 April - 16 June 1917. The Arras Offensive consisted of a series of linked attacks starting with the Anglo Canadian assault on the dominant Vimy Ridge feature through the battles in the Scarpe River valley and up to the assaults on the Hindenburg line in the summer of 1917.
The Western Morning News publishes in an article the announcement of the award of the Military Cross: "MILITARY CROSS FOR CAPT. D.S. HARDING. Capt Donald Stanley Harding, Royal Fusiliers, formerly of the Natal Caribineers, and son of Mr. E. Jackson Harding, of Imber, Pennsylvania Park, Exeter, has been awarded the Military Cross. Capt. Harding volunteered for service in Africa with the Caribineers, and served under General Botha. He came to England, and was given a commission in the Royal Fusiliers, served in Dublin during the Sinn Fein riots, and was then sent to France with his regiment, where he has won the distinction conferred on him."
His death was recorded in the Western Times on the 5th June, 1917 and also in the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette on the 8th of June, repeating the detail already known about him. The War Diary for the battalion shows the account of the 10th April in detail: " Shortly before dawn, we were ordered to withdraw and move to the neighbourhood of BROKEN HILL, our position being taken by another Battalion. This move was completed before daylight on Tuesday the 10th. Casualties during this attack were numerous. The Battalion took up a position behind the railway embankment at FEUCHY, reorganised and filled water bottles &c. At noon the Battalion moved forward along the railway line to the enemy's side of the BROWN LINE and shook out into artillery formation on the rising ground from the railway and advanced over ORANGE HILL, then swung quarter left towards the outlying woods west of MONCHY. The formation was changed to waves in conformity with the 10th R.Fus. on our right, and the whole continued to go forward in perfect order under a very heavy barrage, in which considerable losses were sustained. On reaching the outlying woods and fields, the Battalion came under heavy M.G. and rifle fire, but continued to press forward, until brought to a standstill on the enemy's side of the wood and the first field on the right of them. these woods and fields were found to be swampy. All this time the enemy's barrage of heavy shells continued without intermission, causing many casualties. Great daring was shown by all ranks in hunting out enemy snipers and light machine guns, and by this means the fire was to some extent reduced. The Battalion H.Q. was established in a shell hole at the rear edge of the first field, and efforts were made to get into touch with Battalion on our right and left. It was soon found that the 10th R.Fus,, on our right and the 8th Som. L.I. on our left were also unable to get on, and arrangements were made to stalk the M.G. positions after nightfall. An order was received at 7-40p.m. that the whole Division was to move forward following a barrage, and accordingly a further attempt was made, fwhich resulted in a slight advance only, with many additional casualties. By this time the Battalion was very much reduced in numbers and most of the Officers were either wounded or killed. Three specialist Officers only now remained besides the C.O. and Adjutant."
A lengthy article was published in the Western Times 3rd December, 1917 which provides further detail about Donald's career. "LATE CAPT. HARDING, M.C. - Exeter Memorial Dedicated by the Bishop of Crediton. At St. James's Church, Exeter, on Saturday, the Bishop of Crediton dedicated a memorial to Capt. Donald Stanley Harding, M.C., 13th Royal Fusiliers, youngest son of Mr. E. Jackson Harding, of "Imber," Pennsylvania, Exeter, formerly for 18 years manager of the Exeter brach of the National Provincial Bank.
There were present at the service Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Harding and the domestic staff at "Imber," and accompanying the Bishop of Crediton were Preb. P.Williams (Rector of St. James's), and the Revs. C.K. Woollcombe (Vicar of Sidmouth), and E.Reid (Rector of St. Paul's, Exeter.
The late Capt. Harding first saw service in South Africa, where he assisted to quell the De Wet Rebellion. Joining the Natal Carabineers, he next went through the German South-West African campaign with Gen. Botha. He came home to England with a commission in the Fusiliers, and took part in putting down the Irish Rebellion last year, performing difficult service in this connection. Going to France he took part in the Somme and Ancre battles. He won his M.C. at the capture of Beaucourt, in which fighting he "went over" with 125 men, and returned with 25 unwounded, and was hit three times-in head, ear and foot- and stunned for a short spell, but refused to be put out of action. The gallant officer was killed by a shell at the battle of Arras on April 10th last.
The memorial, which is a very beautiful one, is the gift of Capt. Harding's parents, and is contained in the central panel in the reredos of the High Altar. The panel is of alabaster, and contains a sculptured representation of our Lord reigning on the earth in majesty. The figure is about three quarters life size, and is robed as a king with crown, holding the orb in His left hand, and His right hand is raised in blessing. He is seated on the rainbow and the earth, on which his feet rest, is supported by angels amongst the clouds. Gilded rays extend from behind the figure, giving it a very rich and majestic effect. A brass tablet fixed to the reredos bears the following inscription: To the Glory of God and in memory of Donald Stanley Harding, M.C., Captain 13th Royal Fusiliers, who gave his life for his country 10th April, 1917. the centre sculptured panel and the carved oak figures in this rerodos were dedicated Advent, 1917. R.I.P."
Citations & Commemorations :
Temp. 2nd Lt. Donald Stanley Harding"For conspicuous gallantry in action; Although wounded he led his company on a dangerous reconnaissance. Later, he remained at duty and.set a splendid example to his men."
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | St John the Baptist No. 39 E.C. | Devonshire |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
26th September 1912 | 31st October 1912 | - |
Although he didn't take his ceremony of raising, he continued his membership and contributions. The contribution register shows him as a Stock Farmer (1912) and "Killed in Action 10.4.17."
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley
Last Updated: 2020-04-16 11:04:30