No. 1714, Trooper, Walter Edward HARDING
Aged 20
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Born in Lakenheath, registered Mildenhall Q4-1896 [4A:880].
1901 census... Aged 4, he was living at The Plough Inn, Lakenheath with his father- Walter HARDING [35] innkeeper; mother Elizabeth (née SIZER) [30] and brother Oscar [6]. All were born in Lakenheath. 1911 census...Aged 14, a grocer's assistant, he was living at "The Plough Inn", Lakenheath with his father, mother, brother Oscar (assisting in the inn) and new siblings- sisters-Helena [9] and Annie [6 months] and brother Arthur [6] all born in Lakenheath. One sibling had died. |
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He enlisted on 1st Feb.1916 and was appointed to the RFA at Biscot Mill Camp, Luton on 13/4/1916. A grocer's assistant of Oxboro, Stoke Ferry he was 19 years 5 months old and single. The form has several regimental numbers, 14196; 3368 ; 7555 and fnally 1714.Written at the top is "Lakenheath". This is the only part of his records that has been found.
The rest of his Army records have not been found, but obviously he was wounded or ill when discharged from the Army, hence the award of the Silver War Badge.
He died in the Military Hospital Tooting, which is strange considering his Silver War Badge, except that he does not appear in "Soldiers Died". His Medal Index Card shows he had served overseas. His family returned the silver war badge which was to
be re-issued.
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