Eighth Generation

89. Lily FODEN was educated at St James C of E School until 27 Jul 1917 in Congleton, Cheshire.⁸⁷ She was born on 27 Jul 1904 in Congleton, Cheshire.⁵¹ She lived at 93 Astbury Street in Congleton, Cheshire on 27 Jul 1917.⁸⁷ She died on 3 Aug 1987 in Macclesfield, Cheshire.⁴⁶

Lily FODEN and Henry HARDING were married on 29 Dec 1924 in Congleton, Cheshire.⁴⁹ Henry HARDING^88,89 (son of Levi HARDING and Agnes IKIN) was born on 24 Dec 1898 in Mow Cop, Odd Rode, Cheshire.⁹⁰ He appeared in the census in 1901 in Mow Cop, Odd Rode, Cheshire.⁹¹ He died on 4 Jan 1979 in Congleton, Cheshire.⁸⁸ He died in the Congleton War Memorial hospital, having been ill with bronchial pneumonia. He was also known as Harry.⁸⁸ There are several stories circulating about Harry. I heard that he used to keep rabbits and would exhibit them. On one occasion he won a prize and so put the certificate in with the rabbits on the back of his bike and then cycled home. When he arrived home the rabbits had eaten the prized piece of paper!

Harry was also deaf, this condition being caused by coal dust from his days as a coal miner.

Obituary from The Congleton Chronicle.

Mr H. Harding:

The death occurred last Thursday of Mr Henry ("Harry") Harding, aged 80, of 8 South Bank Grove, Congleton.

Born in Mow Cop, he attended St Thomas's School, and for a short time worked at Chatterley Whitfield Colliery. He then went to work in the Manchester area, in the building trade, and, until his retirement 17 years ago, worked at Polarcold.

In 1924 he married Miss Lily Foden at Queen Street Methodist Chapel and for most of their married life they lived in Bath Vale, moving to South Bank Grove in 1951.

During his younger days, he was a rabbit fancier, winning a number of prizes with his exhibits of Dutch rabbits.

He enjoyed sport, especially football, and since his retirement had become a keen gardener.

He leaves a widow, four sons and five grandchildren.

The funeral was on Tuesday at Macclesfield Crematorium.


Report of The Funeral (The Congleton Chronicle):

The funeral took place last Tuesday of Mr Henry ("Harry") Harding, aged 80, of 8 Southbank Grove, Congleton, whose death was reported in last week's "Chronicle".

The Rev. H. L. Swindells conducted the service at Macclesfield Crematorium where the hymn "The day Thou gavest" was sung.

Mourners included: Mrs H Harding (widow), Mr & Mrs D Harding, Mr & Mrs K Harding, Mr D Harding (sons & daughters-in-law), Mr N Harding, Mr D Harding (rep Mr G Harding), Miss K Harding (grandchildren), Mr & Mrs R Bramwell (rep Mr & Mrs J Rowley), Mr & Mrs N Nicklin, Miss P Harding, Mrs P Evans, Miss S Harding, Mr & Mrs J Wood, Mrs D Proctor, Mrs G Proctor, Mrs G Proctor, Mrs A Yorke, Mrs M Wood, Mr & Mrs J Potts, Mrs A Cox (rep Mr D
Cox), Mrs W Stringer.

Bearers were Messrs D & N Harding (grandsons), W Bramwell and J Brown. The family cross was inscribed: From dear wife, children and grandchildren. A spray was inscribed: From Doreen, Geoffrey, Martin & Phillip Proctor.

Donations to the War Memorial Hospital Social Club Congleton were received from his dear wife, Donald & Joan, Brenda & Kenneth, Derek & Keith, Nigel & Paul, David, Garry & Karen, Maud, Jim, Bill, Doreen, Roy & family. Pearl & Sandra, Ann & Paul, Iris, Norman, Nigel & Karen, Margaret & Don, Mrs M Wood, Mr & Mrs A Yorke, Mrs A Cox, Jean, Roy, Andrea & Melanie, Derek Cox, Dorothy, Tommy, Margaret & Peter, Janet & Jack, Edith, Bill & Ken, Mr & Mrs E Bennett, Mr & Mrs E Wilbraham, the Pointon family, Margaret, Jim & Anita.

Messrs T & E Cooke, 10 Bank Street, Congleton made the arrangements. Lily FODEN and Henry HARDING had the following children:

+99	i.	Donald HARDING served in the military Jan 1944-Jan 1948 in Singapore.88,92 He served with The Royal Engineers, rank of SPR, army no. 14723672. After basic training in the UK he was en route for Burma on the troop ship when the Japanese surrender in 1945 resulted in a change of plans and he was diverted to Singapore to help maintain the garrison and supervise Japanese POW's. He was born on 30 Jan 1926 in Astbury Street, Congleton, Cheshire.82 Between 1954 and 1980 he was a Clerk in R.H. Lowe Ltd, Congleton, Cheshire.88 He died on 21 Mar 1995 in Macclesfield, Cheshire.88 He was cremated on 29 Mar 1995 in Macclesfield Crematorium, Macclesfield, Cheshire.88 His obituary reads as follows:88,93 The funeral took place last Wednesday of Mr Donald Harding, aged 69, of St John's Road, Buglawton, whose death occured the previous Tuesday in Macclesfield District General Hospital. Born in Astbury Street, the eldest of four brothers, the family moved to Bath Vale where he spent his childhood and attended Buglawton school. In 1944, on his 18th birthday, he was conscripted into the army, where he served with the Royal Engineers firstly in Burma and then owing to the Japanese surrender, he was posted to Singapore for prisoner of war supervision until January, 1948. It was always his wish to return to Singapore and he did this in 1991 as part of a nostalgic holiday. He gained an excellent military record and was selected as part of a special parade in honour of King George VI's birthday. He was employed by R.H. Lowe, Roldane factory for 32 years as a clerk. There he met his future wife, Joan, tying the matrimonial knot in 1954. They were to enjoy 41 happy years of marriage, extending the family with two sons, Nigel and Paul. Very much a family man, he was always content to spend his time in the home. Most recently he worked as a lampshade trimmer at Astbury Lighting Ltd., and during his leisure time enjoyed walking, especially along parts of the Macclesfield Canal. He always spoke of his army days with affection but his real passion was for aircraft. He made hundreds of model aircraft and regularly attended air tattoos. The service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Macclesfield, was conducted by Bishop Cedric Knipe, where Mrs Mary Nelson was organist for the hymns "Onward Christian Soldiers" and "God Be With You". During the service a musical item was performed by the Macclesfield Ward Choir and tributes were paid by Messrs. Nigel Harding, Philip Clifford and Daniel Nelson. The closing prayer was given by Mrs Doris Gregson. Cremation followed at Macclesfield Crematorium, where the hymn "How Great Thou Art" was sung. Mourners who met at the church included: Mrs Knipe, Mr and Mrs D. Nelson, Mr R. Keller, <rs and Mrs P. Clifford, Mr D. Allen, Mrs J. Clifford, Mr D. Clifford, Mrs B. Schwartz, Mrs R. Wilkinson, Mrs M. Breed, Mrs P. Beard, Mrs J. Orr, Mrs L. Cross (rep Jim), Mr F. Hibbert, Mr and Mrs S. Beech, Mr and Mrs R. Machin, Mrs J. Lockley. Mr and Mrs I. Lockett, Mr K. Trotter, Mrs E. Moss-Hawley, Mrs Cooper, Mr and Mrs M. Smallman, Mr Eastwood (rep Astbury Lighting Ltd), Mr ans Mrs A.V. Leese, Mr and Mrs K. Armitt, Mr and Mrs L. Gregson, Mrs J. Deery, Mrs E. Orange. Mrs Burgess, Mrs P. Richardson, Mr and Mrs S. Moss. Bearers were Messrs. N., K., D. and G. Harding, D. Cox and C.J. Rymer. The family flower arrangement (spitfire) was inscribed: God be with you till we meet again, Joan, Nigel and Paul. Donations were received from: Linda and Jim Cross; Margaret and Don Proctor; Irene and Tom Tweats, Meeka and Cyril Jackson; Sandra, Trevor and Daniel; Auntie Gladys, Annette and family; Philip Clifford and family; Mrs D. Emburey; Margaret, Jim, Anita and Kevin; Friends from Derek Rose Ltd; Iris, Norman, Nigel and Karen Nicklin; Fran; Ann, Paul and Lisa Evans; Derek Harding; Phillip, Pat, Lorraine and Heath Cox; Kenneth, Brenda, David, Gary, Karen and families; Carol Frost; Mr and Mrs Roy Hancock, Alan and David; Jean and John Rymer and family; Derek Cox and Rory; Mr and Mrs Bennett and family; Harry and Val White; Joan, Nigel and Paul; Winifried and Dennis; Barbara and Pat Schwartz and family; Winnie and Harold Hulme. Messrs. Congleton Funeral Service, 36 Rood Hill, Congleton, were funeral directors.
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