December 2012

One of Thousands- by Mark Smith (Nephew)

Sgt. Arthur David Harding (1357558) 215 Squadron South East Asia Command

8th November 1920 to 1st January 1945

Early Life

Arthur was born to Walter and Daisy Harding on 8th November 1920 in Silvertown, the heart of the East End Docks. He was the third son and youngest of five children; Ivy, Les, Cyril and Lilian (my mother) being the others. When Arthur was only 4 years old he lost his father after a lengthy illness, Walter was just 42 years old and was a casualty of the famous Silvertown munitions explosion of 1917, he was buried for three days in the rubble of the dye works where he was employed, Daisy was a widow at 39. Arthur and my mother sat frightened and clinging to each other under the dining table on the day of funeral, bewildered 4 and 7 year olds. Daisy was “encouraged” by a relative to have the children adopted by family elders, Daisy refused standing her ground and chose to work more than one job a day to keep the family together.

A four year old Arthur , was known to take himself off home from school to be with his mother when the mood took him, my mother being sent by the headmaster to bring him back.

Family life in East London – Arthur smiling( front middle) with Daisy behind, older sister’s Ivy (left), Lilian ( “posing” Right), Brothers Cyril (left) and eldest brother Les with family friends

To bring money into the household and help their mother all five children were out to work from at least the age of 14.

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Tragedy hit the family again when Arthurs brother Cyril died aged 16 after a long illness.

Arthur followed his brother Les and my mother to the Tate and Lyle sugar refinery in Silvertown, he stayed there until he and many others were laid off as WWII was declared. 19 years old and unemployed he searched for other work, fruitlessly walking long distances day after day for a job. Rather than receive enlistment papers Arthur applied for the Fleet Air Arm, who were not forthcoming with a reply, as a result he volunteered for the RAF and was immediately accepted. One week later a letter arrived came from the Fleet Air Arm accepting him as well.

Les would receive his calling papers from the RAF and find himself serving as a wireless Operator in the jungles of the Far East.

RAF

Recruit training commenced in Blackpool, where Arthur was billeted with a family at a guest house in Moore Street. Arriving on 30th July 1940 he was officially sworn in on 1st August 1940. Life at Blackpool seemed pretty relaxed in the early days and letters home tell of sightseeing, swimming in the sea (with the guest house owners 17 year old daughter) drinking with the lads in his FTS squad and rifle range training, apparently in that order.

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Probably like most men enlisting in the RAF Arthur had a passion for being a member of a flight crew, “I want to train as a pilot and live a little”, something he told my mum in 1940.

December 2012

First Posting ; RAF No 9 FTS- E-Squadron, Hullavington near Chippenham Wiltshire

After Blackpool he was posted to Hullavington with a welcoming 1 hour march to the airdrome from the station.

Camp routine is quoted as being “easy”- loading coal and wood- stand down period etc. although under canvas was cold. First bit of action on 16th August 1940 when the airdrome was attacked by a dive bomber who raked the place with machine gun fire, 80 yards from Arthur! It was the last time he wrote of “close shaves” in such detail, realising that his family were already worried for him.

Arthur was an avid writer and the collection of letters to his “Ma” and Ivy bear testimony to that. He would always seek to reassure them about how he is and how he is keeping plus making arrangements to send an allowance home plus always asking after family, friends and neighbours.

After numerous postings Arthur was sent overseas to India on 11th June 1944 and posted to 215 Squadron on 20th August 1944, just over 6 months later Arthur was to be killed in action on 1st January 1945.

My mum recalls the day she took receipt of the dreaded telegram and to this day she vividly remembers the reaction and shock of her mother to the news. It is sad to know that letters and parcels sent from Arthur would arrive after his death and that family letters were sent to Arthur un-be knowing of his fate.

My Uncles memory lives on and he will never be forgotten, a statement being repeated today as our service men and women pay the ultimate sacrifice.

Below what I have written is the story of my uncles last flight written by Linda Ibrom and already on the 215 Squadron website; http://www.rquirk.com/215.html

After the story I have added the following;

1. Commissioned artwork of Liberator KH274 ‘H’ (research assistance by Ken Kemp and Robert Quirk)

2. Air Ministry Air Gunners Pamphlet (courtesy of Mrs Lilian M Smith) 3. Arthurs Air Gunner Training Squad (courtesy of Mrs Lilian M Smith) 4. Christmas 1944 letter home from Arthur (courtesy of Mrs Lilian M Smith) 5. Spitfires made from pennies by Arthur ((courtesy of Mrs Lilian M Smith) 6. Autographs on back of Sergeants Mess Christmas Menu (courtesy of Mrs Lilian M Smith) 7. Arthurs last diary entry 31 December 1944 –diary a gift from sister Lilian (courtesy of Mrs

Lilian M Smith) 8. Squadron leader Beadon’s citation (courtesy of Len Russell (215 SQ) 9. Scroll of Honour (courtesy of Mrs Lilian M Smith) 10. Letter concerning Arthurs Grave (courtesy of Mrs Lilian M Smith) 11. Arthurs service record taken from National Archives.

I must also remember my late Aunt Ivy Harding (Arthurs eldest sister), she is fondly remembered, loved and missed; If it was not for her preserving the family history my research would have been a lot harder.

December 2012

Sergeant Arthur Harding's Final Flight

In Liberator KH 274 "H"

215 Squadron RAF

Written by Linda Ibrom cathogs2000@tiscali.co.uk

Photo of Arthur David Harding (courtesy of Mrs. Lilian M Smith)

Sergeant Arthur David Harding, RAFVR (1357558) was the youngest son of Walter Henry and Daisy Ellen Ann Harding of Plaistow, Essex .The son of a close-knit family, Arthur was aged 4 when his father died. Aged 24, he was the rear gunner of Wing Commander Beadon’s crew and killed on the 1st of January 1945, on a low level mission to bomb the Japanese supply trains on the Bangkok- Chiengasi Railroad in Thailand.

December 2012

Photo of Liberator KH 274, "H", 215 Squadron RAF. (courtesy of Mark Smith)

Crew of Liberator “H” KH 274 Pilot-Squadron Leader Clive Bleadon 2nd Pilot-W/O A.C.Combes Navigator-Flying Officer H.F.Kerley Bomb Aimer-Flying Officer J.Johnstone Flight Engineer—Sergeant R.L.Hindson Wireless operator-Pilot Officer G.Griffin 2nd Wireless operator-Sergeant T.Bennett Nose Gunner-Sergeant E.C.Hill Top Gunner-Sergeant R.M.Cunningham Ball Gunner-Sergeant D.J.Morgan Rear Gunner-Sergeant Arthur Harding

After being hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire and with Liberator KH 274 on fire and extensively damaged, Wing Commander Beadon managed to fly the 1000-mile trip back to base in India. His co pilot W/O A Combes was able to extinguish the fire but sadly. Sergeant Harding was fatally wounded. Sergeant Ken Kemp flew as Rear Gunner to Squadron Leader Roy Williamson and trained and joined 215 squadron at the same time as Arthur. They were good friends, sharing the Sergeants mess, looking out for each other and even growing identical moustaches. Ken was flying in the Liberator behind Wing Commander Beadon’s on the same mission and saw it being hit by anti-aircraft fire, sadly later, he was to be a pall bearer at Arthur’s funeral

December 2012

Sergeant Harding is buried in Grave 8 E2 at Ranchi War cemetery, India.

Sergeant Harding is buried in Grave 8 E2 at Ranchi War cemetery, India. Photo of Arthur Harding's Grave

(courtesy of Mrs. Lilian M Smith) Additional Notes: Wing Commander Beadon was awarded a DFC for this and other missions (London Gazette 17th January 1945) The aircraft involved, Liberator KH 274 "H" of 215 Squadron RAF was damaged to such an extent by the flak that it was "written off" by the RAF on January 25th, 1945. Photo credits and info from Mark Smith (nephew) and Mrs Lilian M Smith (sister) Written by Linda Ibrom cathogs2000@tiscali.co.uk

December 2012

KH274 ‘H’ 215 Squadron with SEAC decals

By artist Norman Gooderum (Aviation Guild of Artists)- Commissioned by Mark Smith 2012

December 2012

December 2012

Letter home Christmas in India 1944 – note Squadron emblem

Spitfires made by Arthur from pennies

December 2012

Autographs on back of Christmas Menu 1944

Arthurs last diary entry 31 December 1944 – please read

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Squadron Leader Clive Beadon’s citation for actions on 1st January 1945

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Service record for Arthur David Harding (1357558)

Unit Date Mustering 9 RC Blackpool 30.7.1940 AC2 as ACH GD GG- 30.7.1940 9 FTS 13.8.1940 AC2 as ACH GD GG- 31.12.1940 AAF Hullavington 11.8.1941 Gunner 11.9.1941 2816 (D) Squadron 20.8.1941 LAC as Gunner -31.12.1941 to 31.3.1942 Stormy Down Airdrome 16.9.1941 U/R Air Gunner 22.11.1943 AAF Hullavington 18.9.1941 LAC as U/T AG- 31.12.1943 20 RC Tempsford 23.10.1941 AG 5.5.1944 Special Flight Tempsford 15.2.1942 Sgt AG - 31.12.1944 AAF Greenham Common 29.8.1942 Sgt AG – 1.1.1945 13 OTU (A) 21.9.1942 Promotions AAF Greenham Common 3.10.1942 30.7.1940 AC2 AAF 4195 22.11.1942 30.1.1941 AC1 2888 Squadron 25.6.1943 30.7.1941 LAC ACSB @ 2888 Squadron 8.9.1943 19.3.1944 AC2 2888 Squadron 10.9.1943 5.5.1944 SGT 2882 Squadron 27.10.1943 Special Qualifications ACRS Abbey Lodge 27.11.1943 19.3.1944 Regraded B 14 ITW 11.12.1943 18.3.44 to 5.5.1944 Air Gunner Course 1 EAGS 5.2.1944 30.7.1943 Good Conduct Badge 7 AGS 18.3.1944 Length of RAF Service Posted overseas to India 11.6.1944 4 YEARS 156 Days 5 PDC 30.7.1944 Overseas service less than 6 months 215 Squadron 20.8.1944 Killed in Action 1st January 1945

List of Common Abbreviations RC Recruits Centre FTS Flying Training School AAF Air Armament Force OTU Operational Training Unit ACRS Air Crew Refresher School ITW Initial Training Wing AGS Air Gunner School PDC Personnel Despatch Centre AC1/2 Aircraftman First and Second Class LAC Leading Aircraftman SGT Sergeant ACH Aircraft Hand GD General Duties Please note some abbreviations I cannot find the exact meaning, but are as recorded on the official service record.