Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Egypt and Sudan Medal 1882-89 awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer T. A. Harding, Royal Navy, who took part in the famous Challenger Expedition of 1872-76, and was recorded as the last survivor of the Challenger’s crew prior to his death, aged 93, in 1936

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, no clasp (T. A. Harding, Chf. E.R.A. H.M.S. Coquette.) suspension post re-affixed, very fine £200-£300

Thomas Alfred Harding was born in Malborough, Wiltshire in March 1843. He joined the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer in April 1872. Harding served with H.M.S. Challenger, November 1872 - June 1876, during which time she took part in the Challenger Expedition.

The Challenger Expedition of 1872-76 was an oceanographic research cruise which marked the beginning of the modern science of oceanography. A three-masted steam corvette, Challenger was refitted at Sheerness in late 1872, with all but two of her 17 guns being removed, laboratories and workrooms being built in their place - a photographic workroom was also set out on the main deck. Under the command of Captain George S. Nares, she departed Plymouth on 7 December 1872, with 25 naval officers, 243 crew, and six scientists, led by Dr. Wyville Thomson, Chief Naturalist.

During her subsequent around-the-world cruise, Challenger became the first steamship to cross the Antarctic Circle, although on one occasion, in frigid waters, she struck an iceberg during a snow blizzard, but fortunately only her jib-boom was carried away. Interestingly, photographs were obtained of icebergs during this period of the cruise - probably the first ever taken - and, as the voyage proceeded, the ship’s scientists established 862 observing stations, gathered data on the weather, and examined the physical, chemical, biological and geological nature of the oceans and ocean floors: resultant discoveries included the driving force of the oceanic currents, 4,714 new species of marine life and a new understanding of oceanic topography, ranging from the heights of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to the depths of the Marianas Trench.

In fact, due to the huge amount of specimens and data gathered by her scientists, Challenger’s return to Spithead in May 1876, after a voyage of 69,000 nautical miles, marked but the beginning of a remarkable fact-gathering project: a group of 100 specialists, under Sir John Murray, would spend years describing and drawing the specimens that filled storehouses and laboratories, their combined effort finally resulting in the 50-volume Report of the Scientific Results of the Exploring Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger During the Years 1873-76, a report described as ‘the greatest advance in the knowledge of our planet since the celebrated geographical discoveries of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.’

Harding advanced to Chief Engine Room Artificer, and subsequent service included in H.M.S. Alert, August 1878 - September 1882, and H.M.S. Coquette, January 1883 - December 1884. His last posting was to H.M.S. Research, before he was Shore Pensioned in March 1892.

The following obituary was given for Harding by the Bath Chronicle & Weekly Gazette in 1936:

‘At the age of 93 the death has taken place of Mr. Thomas Harding, Weston-super-Mare, formerly of Bradford-on-Avon. His wife, who is also a native of Bradford-on-Avon, is 91. Mr. and Mrs. Harding were married in 1867, and there are five surviving children... Mr. Harding was an interesting personality. He was the last survivor of the crew of H.M.S. Challenger, which took part in the famous expedition of 1872-76. This ship was chartered for a four years’ trip to investigate scientific matters in the Atlantic, Pacific and Antarctic. Later Mr. Harding went around the world in H.M.S. Alert. He was awarded the Soudan and Egyptian medals. In the latter part of his career he served on H.M.S. Alberta, Queen Victoria’s yacht.’

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