DEATH OF A NELSONIAN.
The melancholy news of the death at Durban of Seaman S. C. Harford was received with much regret by many in Nelson on 28th inst and great sympathy is felt for his mother (Mrs Harford, of Collingwood street) and the other members of his family. After passing through the South African campaign unscathed, and taking part with the Navals who did such splendid work in the relief of Ladysmith, and just when he was on the eve of returning home, poor "Sid" Harford was stricken down with enteric fever at Durban, and after a few days' illness he passed away on October 16th, at the age of 25. Our readers will remember the letters we have published which were written by deceased, and particularly his vivid description of the execution done by the Naval guns during the fierce fighting at Spionkop, the guns being in charge of the Natal Naval Volunteers, which corps deceased joined very early in the campaign, after he had seen service in the British Navy. Poor "Sid" was a favorite with those who knew him in Nelson, and from the letters his mother received yesterday from officers and members of the Natal Naval Volunteers, it is evident that he was the same at the front. One letter states that Petty-Officer Francis and his wife acted as father and mother to "Sid," of whom they were very fond, Mrs Francis giving him the last kiss for the sake of his mother. PettyOfficer Francis wrote giving an account of deceased's last moments. The officer in command of the corps also wrote a sympathetic letter to his mother, and "Sid's" old comrades in the former Nelson Navals will be pleased to know that his officer states: — "I am pleased to say that the exemplary manner in which he did his duty was highly satisfactory." One comrade states: "Poor 'Sid' was the best chum I ever had." Deceased was accorded a military funeral, as many as possible of the corps attending, while the coffin was covered with flowers by the wives of his comrades. -Colonist, 3/12/1900.
NELSON, May 3.
Gunner Sydney Harford, formerly of the Nelson Navals, joined the British navy, and his time expiring just as the war in South Africa commenced, he joined the Natal Navals, and went through the fighting in Natal. Subsequently he died of enteric. The Natal Government has now sent his .mother (Mrs Harford, of Nelson) a gratuity of £75, as well as her late son's full pay from October 16 to March 31, and also intimated that she has been granted a life annuity of £35. Deceased's effects, including the Queen's gift of chocolate, are being forwarded to Mrs Harford. -Oamaru Mail, 4/5/1901.
Mr Vernon Gunne, a well-known Nelsonian (Richmond) now at Durban, writing in a recent letter to his father has an interesting reference to the late Mr Harford. He says: "Last night one of the wharfingers came up to me and said, 'Do you know whom you remind me of ?' I said, 'Who is that?' He replied, 'A young fellow from Nelson, in New Zealand, Sydney Harford by name. He was at the front with me in the Natal Naval Volunteers.' I told the man that I knew young Harford, and he then told me a great deal about the young fellow. I was very sorry indeed to hear the story of the sad end of the lively young fellow, who Often used to run up to Richmond from town. All through the first year of the war 'Tui' Harford was in the very thickest of the fighting, and according to my informant, he proved himself a real hero on the battlefield. He knew no fear whatever. Where shells were falling fast he stood up bravely and without flinching. If anything had to be done, or a comrade wanted relieving, Harford was the one to do it, and with such ready willingness that he was the most popular man in the corps, bar none. He afterwards came down to Durban, and with characteristic indifference to his own health, he neglected the enteric which was overtaking him, and he died soon after in the Addington Hospital, within a stone's throw of where I am living. His Corps subscribed £8 for a tombstone, over his grave in the Durban Cemetery, where he now lies. His funeral was one of the largest ever seen in this town. Men and women in scores were weeping sad tears over the lost life of this young chap, who, by unusual unselfishness and devotion to others around him, endeared himself in a few months to all who knew him. For about three hours in the early morning I was intently listening to the story of young Harford, and I was very deeply impressed. To-night I am to see a photo of him, and in a day or two I will myself take one of his grave, not far from here. I was glad to think he so worthily upheld the honour of our little colony in the far-distant Pacific." -Nelson Evening Mail, 13/1/1903.
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