Arthur John Harding

Story:
Arthur John Harding was born on 11th May 1893 in Sedgehill, Wiltshire and baptised there on 3rd September 1893, the son of George Arthur Harding and Annie Harding (née Bleathman).  He lived his early life in Sedgehill and Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, before moving with his family to Crypt Cottage, Cocking, Midhurst, Sussex, by 1911.  At the outbreak of war Arthur was living with his grandmother in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, where he enlisted on 30th August 1914 and joined the 2/1st North Midland Battery of the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 98547).  (His military records show him as John Arthur Harding as the family knew him as John.)  He served in France & Flanders from 4 Oct 1915 and was discharged on 18th April 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.  At some time shortly after discharge he returned to Cocking to join his family.   He married Rosena Ellen Bonnieface in Midhurst, Sussex, in 1925 and they went on to have two children.   By the 1939 Register he was living at 251 The Barracks, Heyshott, Midhurst, Sussex, and was working as a Farm Carter.   His death is recorded in Midhurst in 1966. (NB Not to be confused with Arthur John Harding also of Sedgehill but born in 1888 and father was Thomas Baker Harding.)