Henry Eric Harden

Henry Eric Harden VC (23 February 1912 – 23 January 1945), known as Eric, was born in Northfleet, Kent. A butcher and member of the St John Ambulance Brigade before his military service, he married Maud Pullen in 1936 and had two children. Conscripted in 1942, he transferred from the Royal Artillery to the Royal Army Medical Corps and volunteered to serve with the Commandos. He became a medical orderly attached to A Troop, 45 Royal Marine Commando, serving in Normandy in 1944. Biography source

On 23 January 1945, during Operation Blackcock at Brachterbeek in the Netherlands, Harden repeatedly crossed exposed ground under intense enemy fire to treat and recover wounded Commandos. After carrying one casualty to safety, he returned with volunteer stretcher parties. He was killed during the third rescue journey while helping evacuate a wounded officer. His actions earned a posthumous Victoria Cross. Official citation

Harden was 32. He is buried in Nederweert War Cemetery, Limburg. King George VI presented his Victoria Cross to his widow on 9 April 1946. His medal group is held by the Museum of Military Medicine. CWGC, presentation and collection details