236089 WO2 John Albert Harding MID, MSM.British Army 111th Railway Coy. Royal Engineers from:16 Victoria Road, Redhill, Surrey John Albert Harding was attested on 18th November 1914 at the age of 35 and served in France during WWI. He was a foreman plate layer, most probably employed by the South Eastern & Chatham Railway. His railway experience was the likely reason for him being sent to the Royal Engineers Rail Corps.
At home, he had a wife Amelia and four children (John Henry, William Frederick, Elsie Amelia and Amelia Ive).
According to his military record, he was Mentioned in Despatches twice with one entry stating "Mentioned in the Despatch of General Sir D Haig. Published in the London Gazette 4 Jan 1917". General Sir Douglas Haig directed the British portion of the Battle of the Somme from 1st July to 18th November 1916.
There was a period during the latter part of 1914, between 29th November and 1st December where John was promoted from Sapper to 2nd Corporal to Corporal and to Sergeant. One can only imagine why this rapid elevation in rank occurred, perhaps due to colleagues being killed or due to his own actions during the campaign?
He was demobilised on 28th March 1919, having attained the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 (Company Sergeant Major). He returned to working on the railways, latterly becoming Superintendent of Permanent Way for Southern Railway (Permanent Way was a name for the rails).
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