Arthur John Harding

Story:
Arthur John Harding was born in Sedgehill, Wiltshire, on 11 Feb 1888 and baptised there on 14 Oct 1888 the son of Thomas Baker Harding and Mary Ann Harding (nee Harding).  He lived his early life in Sedgehill until by 1911 the family had moved to Smugglers Hole Cottages, Semley, Wiltshire.   He had enlisted on 1 Oct 1917 and joined the Royal Flying Corps becoming a Private 2nd Class (Service No. 97761).  He served in France and Flanders from 14 Nov 1917 to 17 Mar 1919 during which time the Royal Air Force had been established on 1 Apr 1918.   He was discharged on 16 Apr 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  The 1921 Census shows him living with has parents at The Street, Sedgehill, working as a Farm Labourer. He married Nellie Lillian Gray at Sedgehill Parish Church on 26 Dec 1922.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was recorded at 47 Milton, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, working as a Cowman on a farm.  He died on the 21 Jul 1975 and was buried in the East Knoyle Cemetery.  His brother, Alfred Sidney Harding, also served but was regrettably killed in action. (NB  Not to be confused with Arthur John Harding born 1893 in Sedgehill whose father was George Arthur Harding.)