George Henry Harden

George Henry Harden

Personal Information
Date of Birth	14 Nov 1876
Place of Birth	London, England
Death	27 Oct 1965. aged 88
Place of Death	Armadale, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	55 years, 9 months
Description	5'7½" (1.71m) tall ; ; medium complexion ; hazel eyes ; grey hair ; scar on back of left hand.
Occupation	Storeman
Religion	Church of England
Address	Seventh road, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs. Gertrude K Harden
Military Information
Reg Number	W42505
Date of Enlistment	23 Aug 1941
Rank	Lance Corporal
Unit/Formation	9th Auxiliary Horse Transport Company
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	15 Dec 1943 ‒ 26 Dec 1943
Transport Details	SS Marella Fremantle to Melbourne
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia
Medals	War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

During WW1 George had served as 163359 Gunner with the British Royal garrison Artillery's 280th Siege Battery. He married Gertrude at St Stephen's Church, Upton Park, Essex, England on 19 Aug 1900.

Electoral Roll entries: 1926 at Seventh road, Armadale storekeeper; 1936 - 1943 in Seventh road, Armadale storekeeper with wife Gertrude Kathleen, son Leslie George and daughter Nora Marguerite

War Service

On 23 Aug 1941 George enlisted at Perth in the CMF and was posted to the 9th Auxiliary Horse Transport Company as a Trade group III Driver Horse Transport. On 1 Sep 1941 he was detached to the Melville camp and appears to have remained there until he had 4 days leave in October before rejoining his unit on 21 Oct 1941.

On 13 Nov 1942 George was appointed as a Lance Corporal, and on 30 Oct 1943 he was transferred to the AASC Pool. This led to his boarding the SS Marella on 15 Dec 1943 in Fremantle for Melbourne, disembarking on 26 Dec 1943. On 31 Dec 1943 he was posted to the 24th Australian Employment Company, remaining with them until 13 Apr 1944 when he was transferred to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot. On 27 Apr 1944 he faced a Medical Board which classified him as 'D', earmarked for discharge on health grounds. (At this time he would have been aged 59 if his date of birth on his enlistment papers could be believed, or 67 if his death certificate is correct.) Regardless he was discharged on 2 May 1944.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1958 Seventh road, Armadale, storekeeper

Golden Wedding Mr. and Mrs. Harden, of Seventh Rd, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, on August 19. They were the recipients of many Congratulatory telegrams and letters from daughter in Chicago, sisters' in California, USA, and many local friends and relatives in W.A.

Gertrude died in Armadale on 1 Feb 1966 aged 84.

Notes

Likely changed his date of birth in order to enlist. Death date and age indicate 1876 as his birth year. It is confirmed by his 50th Wedding Announcement.