Tribute to a Hero

The Life & Loss of Major Paul Harding MiD at Basra

Garry McCarthy, Paula Harding

• Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
• Year: 2023
• Topic: History
• eBook ISBN:
  9781399089715
• Subtopic: Military Biographies
• Index: History

When a senior army officer is killed in action holding off an enemy attack threatening to overrun his outpost, the confidence of his comrades is rocked. Accolades of courage and eulogies flow freely from politicians and Generals alike. For the briefest of moments, a devastated nation pauses to pay homage to a fallen hero. Fellow countrymen marvel at the heroic endeavors, patriotism courses through everyone's veins, then all too swiftly life moves on. But for the young family, the fight has just begun. This powerful story is as inspirational as it is humbling. Major Paul Harding was the most senior officer to be killed in action during the Iraq campaign. A legend of his time with over 30 years service, people like him are not meant to die in combat. His death shocked every soldier under his command and was felt by three decades of army veterans. Caught in the center of this tragedy, the family courageously battle to come to terms with their grief and fill the void of a talented father and great warrior. Heart-breaking and awe-inspiring in equal measure, the story recounts the immediate aftermath of Major Harding's death and the incredible journey of his family as they navigate their way through the pain of an unwanted new normal. This intimate account of modern war is like no other. Written by his widow and a junior subordinate, it details the life before, and after the heart-wrenching moments when Major Harding's family are told that, the fiercest of battles in Iraq had claimed his life. This first-hand account includes the gargantuan effort to steady the family's resolve and help them rebuild a life torn apart by conflict and the fifteen year journey to contentment.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Chapter One Hobson’s Choice: Master Garry McCarthy
• Chapter Two Summer of 85: Miss Paula Bendall
• Chapter Three Conflicts: Corporal Garry McCarthy
• Chapter Four Wedded Bliss 87: Miss Paula Bendall
• Chapter Five Winchester to Iraq: Mrs Paula Harding
• Chapter Six Africa to Iraq: WO1 Garry McCarthy
• Chapter Seven Iraq (Again): Mrs Paula Harding
• Chapter Eight Notification: Captain Garry McCarthy
• Chapter Nine Home Coming: Mrs Paula Harding
• Chapter Ten Operation PABBAY: Captain Garry McCarthy
• Chapter Eleven Death of A Hero
• Chapter Twelve In the footsteps of Kings: Mrs Paula Harding
• Chapter Thirteen The Regimental Family Gathers: Capt Garry McCarthy
• Chapter Fourteen The Epiphany: Mrs Paula Harding
• Chapter Fifteen It Feels Like Yesterday: Major Garry McCarthy
• Chapter Sixteen Bright as A Rainbow: Mrs Paula Harding
• Chapter Seventeen Once More unto the Breach: Major Garry McCarthy
• Chapter Eighteen John 15-13: Lieutenant Colonel Garry McCarthy
• Chapter Nineteen Life’s Greatest Lesson: Mrs Paul Harding
• Acknowledgements
• Plate Section