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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 654

The 'Aden 1918' C.M.G. group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel M. F. Harding, 69th Punjabis, Indian Army late Royal Marines, who served much of his career with the Royal Marines only to join the Indian Army for service in the Great War, being further 'mentioned' on three seperate occasions

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Companion's (C.M.G.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; 1914-15 Star (Lt. Col. M. F. Harding, 1/69/Punjabis); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. M. F. Harding); Defence Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, light pitting, overall good very fine (5)

C.M.G. London Gazette 4 September 1918:

'…for services rendered in connection with Military Operations at Aden'

Maynard Ffolliott Harding was born at Tullamaine, Tipperary, Ireland on 10 January 1869, the son of Henry and Lucy Harding of Tullamaine Castle, Tipperary. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 3 May 1889 he served mainly with the Plymouth Division, spending time with Inflexible and Hibernia.

Seconded to the Indian Staff Corps on 6 November 1893 he was advanced Captain on 1 February 1899 whilst still with them. Promoted Major on 1 February 1906 he had by that stage transferred to the 79th Carnatic Infantry. Harding was finally advanced Lieutenant-Colonel on 10 March 1913 whilst Commandant of the 69th Punjabis, a role he was to hold for the duration of the war.

This unit was part of the 29th Indian Brigade which was posted to Egypt in 1914, they were diverted in November 1914 for the raid on Cheikh Said. Landing in the late morning the Regiment was at the forefront of the attack on Fort Turba where Naik Labh Singh won the I.D.S.M.

They formed up in Egypt and saw action during the Defence of the Suez Canal before being transferred to Gallipoli. Whilst there Harding was wounded in the left foot, appearing on a hospital list in September 1915. After the evacuation there the Brigade was once again reformed in Egypt and joined the Canal Defences, it was here that Harding was 'mentioned' for the first time (London Gazette 21 June 1916).

The Regiment left the 29th Indian Brigade from Egypt and was posted to France with the 7th (Meerut) Division. Harding earned another 'mention' the following year (London Gazette 31 October 1917) and was back in Aden in 1918 were he earned the C.M.G. He gained his final 'mention' in 1919 for services in Mesopotamia (London Gazette 7 April 1919), although whether that was due to his services with the 69th Punjabis or on secondment is unclear.

His medals were posted to his home on Guernsey in the Channel Islands although by 1939 he had moved to Chelmsford and is noted on the census there are being involved with Chelmsford Rural District Food Control. He died some time later in the Channel Islands, likely back at Guernsey, tragically he was pre-deceased by his eldest son, 2nd Lieutenant Jack Maynard Harding, was killed in action on 26 October 1914; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£1,700

Starting price
£320