Lakehaven resident Norma Bell was surprised to find a bag of coins in her late husband’s cupboard and one particular coin – with a connection to Cessnock – caught her eye.
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A French franc with one side buffered off and scratched into its surface, the name ‘Harden, A’ and the numeric inscription ‘6342.’
After carrying out some research with her daughter Glennis, they discovered that the initials on the coin were that of Private Archibald Harden – a 19-year-old Cessnock butcher who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on October 12, 1916.
Further research found that he embarked from Sydney just a few short months later to the Western Front on November 11, 1916 aboard the HMAT Suevic A29.
Pte. Harden the joined the 20th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement and served in France until the end of the war when he returned to Australia on March 9, 1919.
His next-of-kin is listened as his mother, Mrs. Christina Harden of Cessnock.
Mrs. Bell said she has no idea where the coin came from but she thought it might mean something to the relatives of Pte. Harden, particularly with the upcoming Anzac Day centenary.
Do you know more about Private Archibald Harden or his family?
Call the Advertiser on 4990 1244 or email krystal.sellars @fairfaxmedia.com.au.
UPDATE: Former Aberdare resident Graham Parsons is researching the history of the Diggers who appear on the Aberdare Cemetery Memorial Gates and provided the following information:
"Archibald was the son of Robert Harden and Christina (nee Gracie), and was born in 1899 at Wallsend. His siblings were: William, Robert, David, Christina & Joseph.
"Archibald’s father Robert was born in Kilsyth, Scotland.
"Archibald married Lillian Gertrude Short at Cessnock in 1921. Archibald died in 1928 at Adamstown aged 29 and is buried at Sandgate Cemetery, while Mrs. Harden died in 1974."
