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Eric Harden was born on 23 February 1912 in
Northfleet, Kent, the seventh son of a family of eight. Educated in Northfleet he was an enthusiastic sportsman, excelling at swimming, tennis and football. He was also a keen musician and played the violin. He started working in his brother-in-law's butcher's shop when he was ten, and took the shop over when his brother-in-law died.
Harden's medical interests started early when he joined the St John Ambulance Brigade, in which he rose to the rank of Sergeant.
In 1942 he was conscripted and joined the Royal Artillery, but his medical experience caused him to be transferred to the
RAMC. Here he served with a Field Ambulance, but the inactivity of home service resulted in his volunteering for the Commandos, and it was as a Troop Medical Orderly with 45 Royal Marine Commandos that LCpl Harden carried out that act of
valour, which was to be recognised with the award of the Victoria Cross.
"On the morning of 23 January 1945 the 'A' Troop to which LCpl Harden was attached was ordered to attack the railway station at the village of Brachterbeek in Holland. Whilst moving towards that objective one Section of the Troop was caught in the open by heavy machine gun fire, followed by mortar and artillery. Three marines fell wounded and Harden ran across the 100 yards of open ground, gave his comrades first aid, and carrying one marine on his back brought him to safety. Harden was slightly wounded in this act, but he insisted upon going out again to rescue the others. With two stretcher bearers, another casualty was brought out but was hit again and killed. The NCO and the stretcher bearers then returned to collect the third injured man, and in so doing LCpl Harden was killed. The remainder of the stretcher party reached safety.
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