Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Biography -
- Albert Edward Maurice Harding -

Mrs. Harding, of Penbury, Dudley Road, has received the following letter from the Colonel of her husband's regiment:-
It is with the deepest regret that I write to express the sympathy of all of us with you in the irreparable loss you have been called upon to sustain. The blow must assuredly fall the heavier now that the end is in sight and all thoughts were turned towards joyful reunion. I knew your husband before the war, and he had served with us throughout the whole of the campaign from Gallipoli onwards. A hard worker, thoroughly reliable in every way, he was respected by everyone; and though our loss is as nothing compared to yours, I trust, that in the future, when God has allowed the first pangs of sorrow to be softened, it may be of comfort to you to know that your husband's career in the battalion was one of spotless integrity and his reputation for loyal devotion to duty second to none. Your husband was taken ill when we were about 22 miles north of Beirut, and was conveyed with all speed by motor ambulance to the hospital there, where I am sure everything that was possible was done for him, and I fear that his indomitable pluck which kept him at duty when he should have reported sick sooner was paid for by the sacrifice of his noble life. The C.E. Chaplain wrote as follows:-
Pte. A.J. Harding passed peacefully to his rest yesterday after a short but severe attack of malaria, bravely and patiently borne. I was with him before he died though he was not up to talking with me. I took the funeral this afternoon, and his body now lies in the Military Cemetery with a cross to mark his grave. The O.C. Graves Registration Unit, Alexandria, will be able later on to supply a photo if you apply to him.

We announce with regret the death of Mrs. Mabel Harding, widow of Mr. Albert (Bert) Harding, which occurred at the home of her sister, Mrs. A. Urry, The Old Manor House, The Grove, on Thursday in last week, at the age of 64 years. Mrs. Harding, who was the eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Channing, of Ventnor, had suffered a long illness. She leaves two sons, the younger of whom, Pte. Pat Harding, is serving in the Middle East. Mrs. Harding was formerly a member of St. Lawrence W.I.
The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, the interment at the Cemetery being preceded by a Requiem Mass at St. Wilfrid's, to which Church the body had been taken on Sunday night. The Mass, which was well attended, was conducted by the Rev. Fr. A.J. Quinn. At the Cemetery the officiating priest was Fr. Wixted. The principal mourners were Mr. D.T. Harding (son), Miss Marigold Harding (grand-daughter), Mrs. A. Urry and Mrs. H. Moriarty (sisters), Messrs. O., V. and L. Channing (brothers), Mrs. V. Channing, Mrs. O. Channing and Mrs. F.W. Channing (sisters-in-law), Mr. A. Urry (brother-in-law), Mrs. Butcher, Miss M. Cotton and Mrs. M. Channing. Others present were Miss E. Judd, Miss Wilkinson (St. Lawrence W.I.), Misses Pam and Pat Urry and Daphne Channing (nieces), Mrs. Cotton, Mrs. Westmore and Mrs. W.G. Saunders. Mrs. J. Hall and Mr. Austin Channing, brother and sister of deceased living in Australia, acknowledged the sad news by cable. There was a number of beautiful floral tributes, but owing to the scarcity of flowers several friends are having masses said for the deceased as an alternative expression of the condolence. Mr. A. F. Blake made the arrangements.
Floral tributes were sent as follows: -
Tom, Marion, Marigold, Desmond and David; Pat and Melva; Hilda, Harry and family; Oscar and Nellie; Vin, Salome and family; Lewin, Dorothy and family; Car., Alb. and girls; Stella, Jack and family, and Austin, Ethel and family (Australia); Mary, Will and girls; Allie, Flo, Elsie and Ethel; Mr. W.J. Nigh & Sons; N. and L. Cotton; Reg, Mavis and Andrew; Mr. S. Morris.

At St. Wilfrid's (R.C) Church on Saturday last the wedding took place of Pte. Patrick Maurice Rawle Harding, R.A.M.C., younger son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. Harding, of Ventnor, and Miss Melva E. Cotton, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. Cotton, Kent House, Niton. The Rev. Fr. Wixted officiated.
The bride, who was given away by her father, was attired in a gown of white lace with veil and head dress of orange blossom. She wore a set of cameos (ring, earrings and necklace), the gift of the bridegroom, and carried a bouquet of white lilies, carnations and roses.
There was one bridesmaid, Miss Marigold Harding (niece of the bridegroom), and she was attired in a dress of pale blue lace with gold head dress and shoes, and a necklace, the gift of the bridegroom. Her bouquet was of cream roses.
The duties of best man were capably carried out by Mr. Desmond T. Harding, brother of the bridegroom.
Mr. L. Bone was at the organ and played the wedding march. .
About fifty guests attended the reception held at the Village Hall, Niton. Many telegrams of congratulation were received from friends unable to be present. Among the many presents received was a cheque from the bridegroom's old employer, Mr. W.J. Nigh, of Ventnor.
The honeymoon is being spent at Bournemouth. The bride's going away attire consisted of a mustard and brown costume with brown accessories.
The bridegroom has only recently arrived home after spending 4½ years in the Middle East, most of the time with the 8th Army.