Claude HARDING

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.