-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the sinking

We will remember them
Chainbar divider

In Remembrance of
William Harding

Photo of
Date of birth: 30th December 1917
Place of birth: Tadcaster, Yorkshire, England
Parents: Henry and Louisa Harding
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Service Number: P/KX 91647
Joined Hood: Unknown
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship)
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Biographical Information:

Bill, as he was known, was born on 30th December 1917 in Tadcaster, Yorkshire to Henry and Louisa Harding. The family later lived at Station Terrace, Allerton Bywater, near Leeds. He was the brother of Rowland, Henry, Gordon and Leonard Harding. He was educated at the Allerton Bywater School. There he was known by the name "Plonk". He worked as a miner at one of the local collieries after leaving school.

Bill enlisted in the Army has a young man. His parents arranged for him to transfer to the Navy shortly thereafter. After training he was posted to H.M.S. Hood. He was 23 years old at the time of his loss.




Additional Photographs
None at this time.






Hood Chapel, Church of St. John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire, England

Photos of the memorial











Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Southsea, Hampshire, England

Photos of the memorial



The part of the memorial in which the Hood casualty names can be found.
(Panels 45 to 61)





William's name is in Column 1 of Panel 55.





Detail of William's name.






Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
'Register of Deaths of Naval Ratings' (data extracted by Director of Naval Personnel (Disclosure Cell), Navy Command HQ, 2009)
His great-niece, Emma Harding (photo, April 2008 & information, August 2010)
Linda Peaker (information, June 2016)