Joseph Harding, known as Joe to his friends, died in France in 1917 aged 26. He is listed on our war memorial as he was born and spent his childhood in Welling and worked on a local farm before emigrating to Boorowa, Australia in 1911, in search of a new life.
In Australia, Joseph made a firm group of friends, one of whom was the grandfather of Ann Wales, who lives in Boorowa today and who contacted the Trust when she read our research on our website. Ann is the custodian of letters written by Joseph and his friends to her grandfather and these give an insight into the young man who won the Military Medal for remarkable bravery. To read more about Joseph Harding do read his story on our website, which has been recently updated thanks to information sent by Ann.
Earlier this year, Joe was truly honoured, at a Last Post ceremony dedicated to him, at the Australian War Memorial. His good friend, Samuel Poole, who died at the Battle of Lone Pine in 1915, was honoured the following day. Ann had requested the ceremonies and writes: “Both days the ceremony was held just before the memorial closed, the sun was going down in the West, the air was cool and crisp and the ‘squawking’ cockatoos were landing on the big dome of the memorial here in Canberra and a large crowd had gathered. Joseph Harding was especially honoured to have a visiting delegation from the USA – led by Rear Admiral James Pitts, Commander, Submarine Group, US Navy, who also laid a wreath.”
After the National Anthem of Australia, a piper played a lament as the wreaths were laid. Joseph Harding’s personal story was then read out, followed by the ode –
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.” which was followed by the Last Post.
The ceremony concluded with the words:
“This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Sergeant Joseph Harding, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.”
Our thanks to Ann Wales, who has worked to remember Joseph – and all those from Boorowa – who died in the First World War. Of the 345 who enlisted from Boorowa, 67 died, of which 22 were from England.
Ann is a member of the RSL. Sub-Branch and is a Trustee of the War Memorial in Boorowa. She is pictured on the feature image, at the ceremony, next to a photo of Joseph Harding.
Our thanks also to the Australian War Memorial for their permission to publish the photographs below of the Last Post Ceremony for Joseph Harding.
