Andrew Holmes

As another Somme First Day anniversary draws to a close I’m posting this wonderful account again, of a veteran returning to the Somme forty years later to remember his pals…

The 1/4 Mile Race medallion won by George’s Brother, Corporal Henry Harding, at the 50th (Northumbrian) Division Sports Day in France in 1917. The medallion is still in its original British Expeditionary Force 1917 presentation case. The case also contains Henry’s Green identity tag, which bears his later 200264 number (the Territorial Force were all renumbered in 1917. George was renumbered to 203021). The green lozenge shaped tag was intended to remain with the dead soldier’s body. It’s unusual for it to have been returned to the family instead of the round red one. 2/2 End.

The damaged Durham Light Infantry brass shoulder title belonging to 2568 Corporal George Harding of 1/5th DLI, with the lump of shell casing which struck it, wounding George in the shoulder, but preventing a much worse injury. He cut the shoulder strap from his damaged Service Dress jacket as a souvenir of his narrow escape. George and his Brother Henry (whose number was four digits after George’s - 2572) were from Darlington and enlisted into D or E Company of the 1/5th Battalion in September 1914 and landed in France with the rest of 150 Brigade in the 50th (Northumbrian) Territorial Division on 17th April 1915. George survived the war, but sadly, Henry was killed on 27th May 1918 during the Third Battle of the Aisne. The German advance was brought to a halt three days later. Henry is buried in Marfaux British Cemetery. He was aged 30. 1/2