Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War ‘Minelaying’ M.S.M. group of four awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer J. E. A. Harding, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (269402 C.E.R.A.2, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (269402 C.E.R.A.1, R.N.): Royal Navy Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (269402 C.E.R.A. 1Cl., “Sandfly” Minelaying 1 July-11 Nov. 1918) mounted for wear, good very fine and better (4) £350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The John Chidzey Collection.

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M.S.M. London Gazette 24 March 1919.

James Edward Albert Harding was born in Shrewdbury, Shropshire on 10 July 1876. A Fitter by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class on 9 August 1898. He was confirmed in the rank in July 1900 when on the Duke of Wellington and advanced to E.R.A. 3rd Class in January 1902 on the same ship, and to E.R.A. 2nd Class in January 1906 when at Victory II. Serving on Hecla, June 1910-April 1911, he was promoted to E.R.A. 1st Class in January 1911 and Acting Chief Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class in April 1911. He was confirmed as C.E.R.A. 2nd Class in April 1912 on Pathfinder. Harding served on the destroyer Sandfly throughout the war, December 1913-December 1918, the ship being latterly employed as a minelayer with the 20th Destroyer Flotilla in the North Sea. For his services as C.E.R.A. 1st Class aboard the ship in the last months of the war he was awarded the Royal Navy M.S.M. He was demobilised on 6 September 1920. With copied service paper and other research.