Ystalyfera Fallen

War Graves & Remembrance Graves

Keri Harding

This is the memorial page for Keri Harding, inhabitant of Ystalyfera, killed during the Second World War. He is buried in one of the war cemeteries in Normandy.

The information on Keri Harding comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the South Wales Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

NameKeri Harding
Date of Death14th August 1944
Place of DeathNormandy
Age at Death26
Unit and RegimentEssex Regiment, attached to 1st Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
RankLieutenant
Service Number249243
CemeteryBANNEVILLE LA CAMPAGNE WAR CEMETERY - FRANCE; V. C. 23.
MemorialSwansea Cenotaph - Panel WWII under Essex Regiment
Local MemorialsYstalyfera War Memorial, Commercial Street, Ystalyfera
Family Details Born 23rd August 1917, the son of Henry Ernest Harding (Born 17th March 1895 - Possibly died Swansea 1958) Electrical Tester for the Post Office Engineering Section and Ruth Harding nee Williams (Born 9th September 1897 - Possibly died Swansea 1976) of 29 Ceiriog Road Town Hill Swansea. Grandparents: John Elias and Mary Williams formerly of Gurnos Villa Ystalyfera.
Prior to the war Keri was employed at Bristol as a Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist in the General Post Office
Husband of Vera Ruby Harding of Bishopston, Bristol.
Known BrothersJack Harding
Known SistersVera Harding (born 31st July 1903)

From the South Wales Voice newspaper of 21st October 1944 came the news of Keri Harding's death:-

KILLED IN ACTION

We regret to report that official news has now been received of the death in action of Lieutenant Keri Harding, son of Mr and Mrs Henry Ernest Harding 29, Ceiriog Road, Town Hill, Swansea and grandson of the late Mr and Mrs John Elias Williams, formerly of Station House, Ystalyfera.
Lieutenant Harding was employed on the engineering staff of the GPO at Bristol, and joined the Shropshire Regiment on the outbreak of war and was later commissioned.
He was 26 years of age and leaves a widow and small daughter, with whom deep sympathy will be felt by large numbers of friends in the Bristol, Swansea and Ystalyfera districts.


From the South Wales Voice of Saturday 18th August 1945 came the news of the death of Keri's brother Jack Harding:-

PORTSMOUTH FATAL ACCIDENT

It is with regret that we report the death in an accident at Portsmouth of Jack Harding, whose home is in Swansea. He is the son of Mr and Mrs Harry Harding, former residents of Ystalyfera. Mr Henry Harding was a postman in the district before moving to Sketty 17 years ago. His wife was formerly Miss Ruth Williams, the daughter of the late Mr and Mrs John Elias Williams Station House.
Deepest sympathy is extended to the parents in this, the second loss during the war. Another son, Mr Keri Harding, was killed on Active Service some time ago.


Grandparents

The South Wales Voice of Saturday 25th April 1942 recorded the death of Keri Harding's grandfather, John Elias Williams:-

FUNERAL OF MR JOHN ELIAS WILLIAMS

The funeral of Mr John Ellis Williams, The Gables Newcastle Emlyn, formerly of Station House Ystalyfera, took place on Thursday of last week.
The burial was at Ystradgynlais Parish Churchyard.
The mourners were: Mr and Mrs H E Harding Swansea; Mr and Mrs M P Morgan Newcastle Emlyn daughter and son-in-law; Mr and Mrs Elias E Williams Bedlinog son and daughter-in-law; Mr and Mrs H Jones Penrhos daughter and son-in-law; Mr D Williams son; Samuel Jones, George Griffiths, Phillip Harries sons-in-law; Mrs Phyllis Harries Llandilo, Mrs D R Evans, Idwal Jones Welsh, Terry Harding R E, jacquard in F AA grandchildren; Mr and Mrs William Evans Trebanos sister and brother-in-law; Mr and Mrs Gittiens, Mrs Hopkin, Mrs Ward, William Gabe Pontardawe, David, William, Thomas and Stanley Evans, Griffiths, William D Evans, Howie Davies, Elwyn James Trebanos nephews and nieces; H J Morgan Craigcefnparc nephew; Brynley Davies Pontardawe; Mr and Mrs D Williams, Mr W Williams brothers and sisters in law. The mourners at the house were: Mrs David Williams, daughter-in-law; Mrs David Clark Wolverhampton niece.

The grave reference for Saint Cynog's cemetery is AREA G R03 G08 which in the Old Code is 54.05



WHITE MARBLE CROSS ON DOUBLE KERBING

Wife Mary WILLIAMS died 15th February 1929 Aged 59 years
Husband John Elias WILLIAMS died 6th April 1942 Aged 78 years
Daughter Gwendoline Husband of Phillip HARRIS of Brecon Road Ystradgynlais died 22nd April 1911 Aged 21 years
Also Ellen Daughter of John Elias and Mary WILLIAMS of Station Road Ystalyfera who died 23rd February 1908 aged 10 months/years
Also Hannah their Daughter Wife of George GRIFFITHS Gurnos Ystalyfera died 15th September 1913 19 years

Known Family: of 9 Swan Lane Ystalyfera
John Elias WILLIAMS (Born Trebanos 1864) Colliery Fireman / Repairer in Colliery
Wife Mary WILLIAMS (Born Ystalyfera 1869)

Daughter Gwendoline WILLIAMS* (Born Trebanos 1890-1911)
Daughter Elizabeth WILLIAMS (Born Trebanos 1892)
Daughter Hannah WILLIAMS* (Born Ystalyfera 1895-1913) Married George GRIFFITHS
Daughter Ruth WILLIAMS (Born Ystalyfera 1898)
Son Elias E WILLIAMS (Born Ystalyfera 1900)
Daughter Bronwen WILLIAMS (Born Ystalyfera 1903)
Son David WILLIAMS (Born Ystalyfera 1906)
Daughter Jane WILLIAMS (Born Ystradgynlais 1909)


The Labour Voice of 20th September 1913 recorded the death of Hannah Grifiths, nee Williams.

OBITUARY

The death occurred under very sad circumstances at Swan Lane, Ystalyfera, on Monday morning of Hannah, the wife of George Griffiths. Deceased who was only confined about 3 weeks previous to her death had made good progress, but apparently received a chill, which speedily brought on inflamation. She was attended by Doctor E. Walsh but rapidly sank and died within 48 hours from the first symptom of inflamation. She was the daughter of Mr John Elias Williams of Station House, Ystalyfera and was only 19 years of age. The infant is doing well. The funeral took place at Ystradgynlais on Thursday afternoon.



Ystalyfera - South Wales

Contact Ystalyfera Fallen
Telephone : Available on Request

Email Yeargroup:
yeargroup@hotmail.com
Email Wolfian Design:
webdesign@wolfianpress.com
Ystradgynlais Wargraves
How To Write Alternate History

Click the cover to purchase the paperback


How To Write Alternate History is a series of articles by Grey Wolf, examining subjects such as the identity of man, whether man makes the weather, how the everyday in an alternate world is going to be changed and what names for music, vehicles, weapons etc would be different.

AHF Magazine (#5 cover)
AHF Magazine issue 5 is published by the Wolfian Press and is dedicated to promoting alternate history and the associated genres of Science Fiction, Steampunk, Historical Fiction and Fantasy.
Wolfian Press
Whether you have a book all ready to go, or just the idea for a book, the Wolfian Press can make your dream a reality.


 
  Complete Cleaning company, Ystradgynlais



Penybont Sports Bar and Lounge