Brigadier Geoffrey Parker Harding CBE. DSO. MC.
Colonel of the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment. From 1947 – 1950.
Fought in both world wars. In WW 1 whilst serving with 1st Cheshire Regiment attached to Royal Flying Corps he was reported missing, later reported prisoner of war of the Germans and then to
Born 7 January 1895 to Cecil Murry and Annie Harding, nee Birkett. 1901 with his parents and siblings at 41 Jersey Road, Kidbrooke, London. 1911 with his widowed mother and siblings at 42 Hardy Road, Blackheath, London. Occupation, Clerk in The Delta Metal Company
Husband of Catherine Mary Crafer who he married in 1920 in Lewisham registration district.
he may have died at 5 Court Close, Ridgeway Lane, Lymington Hampshire 1 March 1975.
(See download, named, Interview with Lt Geoffrey Parker Harding.
Some notes from this down load. (Movements and escape)
The 1st March 1917 he was observer along with pilot Lieutenant French both of Royal Flying Corps flying in a F.E. 2 B ((Farman Experimental 2b ) Fighter/Reconnaissance, Night Bomber) when the plane was attacked by two German machines one flown by Baron von Richthofen who shot the plane down in flames east of Vimy about 6 o’clock 8 miles behind the German front. The pilot although burnt about the legs from the ankle to knee he landed the aircraft safely, they were taken and prisoners of war. Lt French burns were treated by a German doctor and later both were escorted on foot to a prison camp at Dougi which was an old cavalry barracks.. The following morning (2nd) they walked to an Officers Camp at Dougi. On the 10h May entrained at about 10am bound for Karlsruhe arriving about 8am 11 May and taken to what had been a hotel. After 8 days moved to a camp in the market square. The camp was only for English and French officers. 25 May he and 150 officers were moved to Strohen arriving on the 27. He escaped on the 29 September 1917 and arrived in Holland 5 October 1917.
Supplement to London Gazette dated 22 January 1916.
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Military Cross on the undermentioned Officers, in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field.
Second Lieutenant Geoffrey Parker Harding, 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.
M.C. Citation.
For conspicuous gallantry on the night of 6th/7th December, 1915, in France.
He led a bombing attack on the German trenches with great coolness and determination, although the mud rendered the advance almost impossible. He showed great personal bravery and himself threw bombs when the bombers were in difficulties. Several Germans were accounted for and
one prisoner taken
Edinburgh Gazette dated 19 December 1919
His Majesty the KING has been pleased to approve of the undermentioned rewards being conferred on Officers and other ranks of the Royal Air Force in recognition of gallantry in escaping from captivity whilst Prisoners of War. He was awarded a Bar to the Military Cross. Pilot Officer (Hon. Flying Officer) Geoffrey Parker Harding, M.C.
The following extracts are downloaded from The National Archives.
(1) Interview with Lieutenant Geoffrey Parker Harding
(2) DSO Recommendation (London Gazette dated 5 August 1943.)
Recommended 27 May 1943 passed 28 May 1943
T/Brigadier 9396 Geoffrey Parker Harding. MC of Headquarters 138 Infantry Brigade, 46 Division, 5 Corps
Action for which commended
This officer has commanded his Bde most successfully during the 4 months it has been in action.
In the battle at DJ. ABOID SEDJENANE from 27 Mar – 5 Apr he successfully defeated the enemy under the most trying weather conditions which necessitated a quick change from MT to pack transport. He himself was always well forward in the battle. At BOU ARADA on 22 and 23 Apr his Bde was exceptionally well handled. The enemy attacked on the 22 Apr and he and his Bde engaged until dark. He had to extricate them and form up for an attack by 0300 hrs on 23 Apr. That this was done successfully and all objectives captured in order to let the Armd Div through by 1200 hrs was entirely to his hard work and personal leading. He was at all times cool and collected and had the situation well in hand. In my opinion without a leader well above average the operations on 23 Apr would not have been successful.”
en.wikipedia.org
(3) C.B.E. Recommendation. Submitted 27 January 1944 Passed 19 February 1944 (London Gazette dated 24 August 1944)
Lieutenant Colonel (T/Brigadier) Geoffrey Parker Harding DSO and MC of Headquarters 128 Infantry Brigade, 46 Division, 10 Corps
Action for which commended.
“Since his brigade landed at Salerno, Brig Harding has commanded with outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty. His courage, coolness and determination have directly contributed to the success of his brigade which at all times played a leading part in the successful landing at Salerno and the subsequent advance.”
Signed H.R. Alexander. General Commander in Chief Allied Central Mediterranean Force.
London Gazette dated 13 June 1950.
(Hon. Brig.) Geoffrey Parker HARDING, C.B.E., D.S.O. M.C. (9396), resigned.
Memorial Floor Tile in Chester Cathedral, Cheshire.
