Notes on Individual.

Ernest Henry Hardingham.

In relating war experiences Ernie told us he was in the war for 6 years. He went into the 30th Essex at Leigh, Canewdon, Dovercourt, Halifax for his training. He was in the infantry. He had an operation on his knee. He served in Durban, South Africa for 12 months sorting the post. All letters were airgraphed. They were put on film, sent to the UK and then printed in UK. Faith kept all the letters. Paid a little more because ordinary letters were risky. Letters were all numbered. Ernie sent home dried fruit from S.A. His number 6020489 on his pay book. He also recalls that if you walked down Southend High Street you would see beggars selling matches and bootlaces and trays. They received no help from the government in those days.
33 milton Street was a 2 bedroomed house and the smithy's yard was situated behind it. The family attended Comnman Street Brethren Assembly Ernie was a pupil at the old London Road School in Southend and became head boy and captain of both the football and cricket teams. His first job was a telegraph boy in the Southend Post Office. He met Faith at Roots Hall football ground when Southend Reserves were playing Arsenal Reserves in an Easter Snowstorm. They were married in the Elim Pentecostal and Ruth Hardingham was a bridesmaid aged 6. Ernie and Faith's first home was in Lymington Ave. Leigh. Pauline and Cherry were born during the war years and Kelvin was born following Ernie's demob and return to work in the PO. They became members at Leigh Wesley Church and Ernie was a Sunday School Leader and also ran the boys' football team and became a 'Poor Steward'. In early post war years Ernie joined Shell Oil Coy at Shell Haven Refinery as an oil accountant. Ijn early 1970's Ernie worked in Mombassa. They returned to Madeira Ave. Ernie then worked for GEC Marconi at Basildon for a few years in their Accountant dept Ernie joined Leigh Bowls Club in retirement and served as Club President for a number of years.
See Tribute on separate file.


Death date place
23rd October 2006 Fairhavens Hospice Southend Cremation (Southend) 2nd November 2006 followeed by Service of Thanksgiving at Wesley Methodist Church Leigh. 4.15 pm.