Mr Harding was known to most as The Jap or Broncho (from the TV series where Broncho Lane was played by Ty Harding).

He went to Portsmouth Boys' Southern Seconday School from 1935 to 1937, and then to Portsmouth Boys' Northern Seconday School from 1937 to 1942.

On leaving school, he went to University College, Southampton, and left after two years with his BSc in Pure and Applied Mathematics, and Physics. He returned in 1947 for a further two year course, and gained a 1st Class Honours BSc in Mathematics. Staying on a further year, he got his Post-Graduate Certificate in Education.

Leaving college in 1950, he joined the staff of Crewe County Grammar School until 1954 when he went to City School in Lincoln.

It was in September, 1962, that he joined the staff of the South Shields Grammar Technical School for Boys as Deputy Headmaster.

He left in July, 1966, to become Headmaster of Tindale County Secondary School.