A thread on Lance Corporal Eric Harden VC. The only RAMC recipient of the Victoria Cross in the Second World War. He was killed in action on this day in 1945 in Brachterbeek, a small town on the banks of the River Maas in the Netherlands.

Eric was a Medic attached to 45 Royal Marine Commando. After his section were pinned down in this field by German MG fire, Eric went out, unarmed, on three separate occasions to bring in the wounded. Despite wearing the Red Cross armband he came under fire on each occasion.

On the 2nd occasion, Eric carried in Marine Fred Wales. Unbeknown to anyone else he was hit bringing Marine Wales in to safety. Sadly, Fred Wales succumbed to his wounds and is buried in Nederweert @cwgc cemetery. His grave marker in 1945 (centre) and the grave today.

Contrary to the orders of the OC of A Troop, Captain Dudley Coventry, not to expose himself to fire, Eric Harden decided to go out a 3rd time with 2 volunteers, Johnny Haville and Dickie Mason, to bring in the section commander, Lt Robert Cory.

They went out and after loading Cory on to a stretcher began the return journey back across the field on the left to the safety of this farm house. Haville and Mason at the front of the stretcher and Eric Harden at the rear.

At this point where his memorial is now to be found, Lance-Corporal Eric Harden was shot through the back of the head and killed instantly. They were making for the gap in the hedge ahead which, as a mark of local respect is maintained to this day.

Johnny Haville and Dickie Mason managed to drag the stretcher carrying Robert Cory to safety. Cory survived and the rest of the section came in under the cover of darkness which is also when the body of Eric Harden was recovered.

Lance Corporal Henry Eric Harden lies today at Nederweert @CWGC cemetery. As his family will confirm Eric hated his first name and if possible never used it. The first photo is his grave marker from 1945.

This is the telegram his Eric’s wife, Maud, received informing her of her husbands death.

Later, Maud Harden received a second telegram. The posthumous award of the Victoria Cross.

This is Maud, Eric and their son, Bobby. Their Daughter, Julie was born just 6 months before her fathers death.

At the Palace and in a break from tradition, Maud asked the King to pin the VC on her son. He agreed. Bobby was later photographed at Westminster Abbey.

Sadly Bobby passed away a few years ago but Eric’s daughter, Julie Wells is still very much with us. Both Julie and her husband Bob have become good friends of mine over the last two years. It’s Julie’s mission that as many people as possible hear the story of her Dad.

In arduis fidelis.