Main CPGW Record
Surname: HARDING
Forename(s): Claude
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 265395
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'D' Coy 1/6th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 23
Date of Death: 1918-04-12
Awards: M.M.
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 82 to 85.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Claude Harding was the son of Frederick John Addlesee and Elizabeth Ann Harding, née Mouncey and brother of Private Fred Harding (424873) (q.v.). Their father was born at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and mother at Skipton, Yorkshire.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 30, Albert Street - Claude Harding, aged 6 years, born Skipton, son of Fred J.A. and Elizabeth A. Harding.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 12, Midland Street - Claude Harding, aged 16 years, born Skipton. [Claude and his sister Emily were living with their grandmother, Martha Jane Mouncey, widow. Their mother had died in 1904; their father had married Ada Cameron, a widow, in 1910.]
Claude is listed in the Nominal Roll of the 1/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment): Pte C. Harding.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Claude Harding, 2132; Sjt 265395, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in (1) France. Date of entry therein: 14.4.15. K. in A. 12.4.18.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Sgt Claude Harding, 265395, 1/6th W. Rid. R. K. in A. 12.4.18.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Sgt Claude Harding, 265395, 1/6th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 12.4.18. France or Belgium. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Sister and Sole Legatee - Emily. £17 1s. 10d. War Gratuity: Sister and Sole Legatee - Emily. £20 10s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Claude. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Frederick John Addles [sic] Harding. Relationship to Man: Father. Address: New Mansions Lodging House, Turkey Street, Keighley.
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
HARDING, Sgt. Claude, West Riding Regiment, 5, Bradley Street, Skipton, aged 23, killed in action April 12, 1918.
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Sergeant Claude HARDING
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
13 October 1916
SKIPTON ‘CANADIAN’ LOSES A LEG
Pte. W. S. Harding, of the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, whose sister, Miss Emily Harding, lives in Midland Street, Skipton, was seriously wounded during the fierce fighting in September, and has since had his left leg amputated in a Glasgow hospital, where he is now reported to be doing nicely. He was also wounded in the left shoulder. Nineteen years of age, he was formerly errand boy for Messrs. Lipton’s Ltd., Skipton, but about four years ago emigrated to Canada, where he obtained a good position on the Canadian Pacific Railway. Two of his brothers are also serving in the Army – Pte. Fred Harding with the Canadian Mounted Rifles, and Corporal Claude Harding with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. Pte. Fred Harding had also been out in Canada prior to the war, and was engaged on farm work. An uncle of the three brothers, Pte. Fred Mounsey, of Skipton, is also serving with the Bradford ‘Pals’
09 November 1917
MILITARY MEDALS FOR TWO SKIPTONIANS – SERGEANT CLAUDE HARDING
Sergeant Claude Harding, who has been serving with the Skipton Territorials since they were mobilised, and whose grandmother lives in Midland Street, Broughton Road, Skipton, has been awarded the Military Medal, but no details of the deed, which earned him the honour, are yet to hand.
He is 23 years of age, and prior to the war was in the employ of a Keighley engineering firm. His brother, Pte. Fred Harding, Canadian Mounted Rifles, was killed on April 9th, and another brother, Pte. William Snowden Harding, also of the Canadian Mounted Rifles, was seriously wounded in September last year and had to have his left leg amputated.
26 April 1918
Sergeant Claude Harding, M.M., Skipton
After three years’ unbroken service in or near the fighting line, Sergeant Claude Harding, M.M., West Riding Regiment, whose home was at 5 Bradley Street, Skipton, has paid the supreme sacrifice. He was killed in action by a shell on April 12th whilst the enemy was preparing for an attack. Twenty-three years of age, deceased was one of the many young Skiptonians who were mobilised with the local Territorials on the outbreak of war, and he had been at the Front since April 1915. He was formerly employed by a Keighley firm of engineers. Two of his brothers also joined the Canadian Forces early on in the war, one of whom, Pte. Fred Harding, was killed on April 9th last year, while the other, Pte. Willie Harding, has had his leg amputated and has gone back to the land of the Maple Leaf.
Captain B. Godfrey Buxton, ‘D’ Company, West Riding Regiment, has expressed his sympathy to deceased’s relatives in a letter in which he says:– “After his three years’ unbroken service out here it is sad to lose one who has proved himself such a brave soldier and a good friend. Everyone was fond of Claude, and in the line he was always as brave as could be from the early days in 1915 at Ypres until this time. All in ‘D’ Company wish to send their deepest sympathy to you in this loss.”
26 April 1918
WOUNDED AND MISSING
Sergeant Arthur Carter, West Riding Regt., son of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Carter, 5 Neville Street, Skipton, has been wounded in the leg and is now in hospital in France. Curiously enough, he was wounded at Armentieres, where, prior to the war, he held an appointment with the English Sewing Cotton Co., and where, on the outbreak of war, he rendered valuable services as a guide to our troops. He is 29 years of age. In a letter to his parents he mentions that Sergeant Harding, of Skipton, was killed by his side.
11 April 1919
HARDING – In loving memory of our dear brothers, Private Fred Harding, 1st C.M.R., 45th Battalion, killed in action April 9th, 1917; also Sergeant Claude Harding, M.M., 1/6th Duke of Wellington’s, killed in action April 12th, 1918.
“Days of remembrance sad to recall.”
From Emily, Ada, Albert, and Billie in Canada, 12 Midland Street, Skipton.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
13 October 1916
SKIPTON SOLDIER WOUNDED
Pte. W. S. Harding, of the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, whose sister resides in Midland Street, Skipton, has been wounded in the left shoulder and leg, the latter limb having been amputated. He was wounded in the big push on Sept. 15th, and is at present in hospital at Glasgow, where he is said to be progressing favourably. Prior to going to Canada four years ago, he was employed at the Skipton branch of Messrs. Lipton’s Ltd. He has also two other brothers serving – Pte. Fred Harding, in the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, and Corporal Claude Harding, in the 1st 6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment.
27 April 1917
SKIPTON SOLDIERS KILLED
We regret to learn that Pte. Fred Harding, of the Lewis Machine Gun Section, Canadian Mounted Rifles, whose family reside in Midland Street. Broughton Road, Skipton, has been killed in action in France. Pte. Harding, who was 24 years of age, went out to Canada five or six years ago to take up farming. He enlisted on the outbreak of war and had been out in France about a year. Prior to going to Canada he was employed in the spinning department at Belle Vue Mills, and later as a mechanic at Keighley.
In a letter to his grandmother, Mrs. Mounsey, of 12, Midland Street, Skipton, Pte. Kenneth C. Wiseman writes:– “I had the very sad duty entrusted to me by my old ‘pal’ Fred Harding just before he went into action on Monday, April 9th, of letting his people know if anything should happen to him. I am very sorry to say that he was killed in action that morning whilst charging with the D Lewis Company of the Canadian Mounted Rifles towards the German trenches. You may rest assured he died bravely. How he was actually killed I am unable to say, as I have not been able to find anyone who saw him hit. Poor Fred was No. 3 on the gun, and I have to-day been in conversation with No. 1 (Corp. Watkins) who says that after starting over the top he lost sight of him. The No. 2, was, I understand, wounded, so I cannot get anything more definite from them. This is all very sad, and I am indeed very sorry for you. Fred was one of the best – a very great friend of mine, who I shall never forget. He had many friends, and was liked by everyone and always cheerful.”
Another brother, Pte. William Snowden Harding, of the same regiment, was also out in Canada when war broke out, and he joined along with his brother. He was wounded last July in the big push, and it was found necessary to amputate one of his legs. He was also wounded in the back at the same time. He has recently been over to Skipton on leave, but has returned to hospital at Ramsgate.
There is still a third brother, Lance Sergt. Claude Harding, who is attached to the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, and has been out in France two years
09 November 1917
THREE SKIPTON MILITARY MEDALLISTS
Sergeant Claude Harding of the West Riding Regiment, of 5, Bradley Street, Skipton, has been awarded the Military Medal. He is 23 years of age, and one of three brothers who answered the call on the outbreak of war. He was mobilised with the local Territorial Regiment, and has served at the front since. April, 1915. Prior to enlisting he was employed by a firm of engineers at Keighley. His brothers, Private Fred Harding, and Private Willie Harding, served with the Canadian Forces. The former was killed in April last, and the latter was so severely wounded that he had to have a leg amputated. He has now returned Canada.
26 April 1918
HARDING – Killed in action, April 12th, Sergt. Claude Harding of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, of 5, Bradley Street, Skipton, aged 23.
26 April 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Skipton Sergeant Killed
Sergeant Claude Harding, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, and of 5, Bradley Street, Skipton, was killed in action by a shell on April 12th, whilst the enemy was preparing for an attack. Sergeant Harding, who was 23 years of age, was one of three brothers who answered the call on the outbreak of war. He was mobilised with the local Territorial Regiment, and had served at the front since April, 1915. In December last he was awarded the, Military Medal foe gallantry in the field. Prior to enlisting he was employed by a firm of engineers at Keighley. His brothers, Pte. Fred Harding, and Pte. Willie Harding, served with the Canadian Forces. The former was killed in April, 1917, and the latter was so severely wounded that he had to have a leg amputated. He has now returned to Canada. Capt. B. Godfrey Buxton, in a letter to Sergt. Harding’s relatives, states:– “After his three years of unbroken service out here it is sad to lose one who has proved himself such a brave soldier and a good friend. Everyone was fond of Claude, and in the line he was always as brave as could be from the early days in 1915 at Ypres until this time. All ‘D’ Company wish to send their deepest sympathy to you in your loss.”
26 April 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Silsden Sergeant Wounded
Sergt. Arthur Carter, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Carter, of 5, Neville Street, Skipton, has been wounded in the leg, and is at present in hospital in France. He is 29 years of age, and enlisted in May, 1915. Prior to going out to France last January he acted as an instructor. He was formerly employed as a dyer at the Belle Vue Mills, Skipton. When war broke out he resided in Armentieres. He mentions in a letter that Sergt. Harding, of Bradley Street, Skipton, was killed by his side.
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