Mr. C.C. Harding, of Dundee,

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Mr. C.C. Harding, of Dundee, will celebrate his 82nd birthday on November 22nd. He is one of the very few that are still living of the old scarlet-coated little army which fought in the Zulu War, 1879. He was one of the Royal Engineers who landed at Durban on January 4; he was in the battle of Inyezane on the same day as the massacre of Isandhlwana and Rorke's Drift took place, and then in the Siege of Eshowe, also at Ulundi.

After the capture of Cetewayo, he was sent as one of a detachment to the Northern Transvaal for the final Secocooni campaign. He was in Pretoria during the Boer War, 1881; he then purchased his discharge in Newcastle in 1882.

He took part in the second Boer War with Bethune's Mounted Infantry, 1899 to 1901. He has lived in Dundee ever since, and has been a reader of the Natal WItness for about 40 years.

With the exception of eyesight and hearing failing, he still enjoys good health.

MR.C.C. Harding - Adventurous career in South Africa

By the death of Mr. Charles Clement Harding, who was nearly 84, Dundee has lost one of its oldest and most interesting residents, writes The Star's correspondent.

Mr. Harding had looked forward keenly to the celebration of the golden jubilee of his marriage on June 15. He had lived in Dundee since 1902, and was born in London in 1851. He lost both his parents before he was seven.

in 1871, Mr. Harding joined what was long afterwards his absorbing passion - the British Army. He served in the Royal Engineers. He landed in Durban on January 4, 1879, and took part in the Zulu war. After the battle of Ulundi he accompanied his column on the long trek to the Northern Transvaal, Kekukuni then being on the war path.

Mr. Harding served throughout the war of 1880-81, and in 1882 purchased his discharge.

In 1885 he married Miss Nellie Forbes, who had come from Scotland as companion to Lady Sutton, wife of Sir G.M. Sutton.

He trekked in an ox wagon to the Lydenberg goldfields, and transported gold bar from the Pilgrims Rest goldfields on horseback to Lydenberg. After a varied career in the Transvaal he settled in Dundee.

In the second Boer War he enlisted in Bethune's Mounted Infantry.

Mr. Harding is survived by his wife, four sons and two daughters.

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Credit: The Natal Witness - around 1953

If anyone can assist with any further information on his early military career I would be very grateful!