Israel Harding
Gunner, Royal Navy
- Register No.
- 529 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Gunner all Gunners →
- Unit
- Royal Navy (register: HMS Alexandra) all HMS Alexandra VCs →
- Date of action
- 11 July 1882 on this day → all of 1882 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Occupation of Egypt
- London Gazette
- 15th September, 1882 on this day → all of 1882 →
- Born
- 21st October, 1833 at Portsmouth, Hampshire
- Died
- 22nd May 1917 at Billingshurst, Sussex
- Memorial / grave
- at Highland Road Cemetery, Portsmouth
Digest of citation
On 11th July, 1882 at Alexandria, Egypt, HMS Alexandra, with other ships, were bombarding at the Forts of the city and suffering damage and casualties from the enemy's guns. During the engagement a 10 inch shell passed through the ship's side and lodged on the main deck. Gunner Harding, hearing a shout that there was a live shell just a ball of the hatchway (leading to the magazine) rushed up from below, picked it up and flung it into a tub of water. Had the shell burst it would probably have caused many deaths
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
HARDING, Israel. (reg No. 529).
Gunner. Royal Navy.
Gazetted on 15th September, 1882.
Born on 21st October, 1833 at Portsmouth, Hampshire.
Died on 22nd May 1917 at Billingshurst, Sussex.
Memorial on grave at Highland Road Cemetery, Portsmouth.
Digest of Citation reads: On 11th July, 1882 at Alexandria, Egypt, HMS Alexandra, with other ships, were bombarding at the Forts of the city and suffering damage and casualties from the enemy's guns. During the engagement a 10 inch shell passed through the ship's side and lodged on the main deck. Gunner Harding, hearing a shout that there was a live shell just a ball of the hatchway (leading to the magazine) rushed up from below, picked it up and flung it into a tub of water. Had the shell burst it would probably have caused many deaths.
Additional information:. Gunnar Harding was promoted to Chief Gunner and served in World War One (WWI) in minesweepers.
From Alf's photographs
Harding VC - Highland Rd Cem, Portsmouth (gallery) 
Harding VC - Highland Rd Cem, Portsmouth (gallery)
Additional information
Gunnar Harding was promoted to Chief Gunner and served in World War One (WWI) in minesweepers.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Highland Road Cemetery, Portsmouth
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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