Fourth Generation

47. Henry HARDING^64,66 was born on 24 Dec 1898 in Mow Cop, Odd Rode, Cheshire.⁶⁷ He appeared in the census in 1901 in Mow Cop, Odd Rode, Cheshire.⁶³ He died on 4 Jan 1979 in Congleton, Cheshire.⁶⁴ He died in the Congleton War Memorial hospital, having been ill with bronchial pneumonia. He was also known as Harry.⁶⁴ 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.

Henry HARDING and Lily FODEN were married on 29 Dec 1924 in Congleton, Cheshire.¹³ Lily FODEN (daughter of Samuel Blackshaw FODEN and May LUCAS) was educated at St James C of E School until 27 Jul 1917 in Congleton, Cheshire.⁶⁸ She was born on 27 Jul 1904 in Congleton, Cheshire.⁴⁰ She lived at 93 Astbury Street in Congleton, Cheshire on 27 Jul 1917.⁶⁸ She died on 3 Aug 1987 in Macclesfield, Cheshire.⁴¹ Henry HARDING and Lily FODEN had the following children:

+69	i.	Donald HARDING.
+70	ii.	Living.
71	iii.	Living.
72	iv.	Living.