Educated at Solihull School, Harding joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1960.
[2] He then became an instructor, completing a tour at the RAF College, Cranwell[2] during which time he was promoted to flight lieutenant.
[2] Harding returned to operational flying on the Vulcan bomber, completing the conversion course and then a short tour back on Cyprus at part of No.
[1] Promoted to air vice-marshal in 1989[8] he became Deputy Commander-in-Chief, RAF Germany in 1989, Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) at Headquarters Allied Air Forces Central Europe in 1991, and lastly Defence Services Secretary and Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Personnel) in 1994 before his retirement in 1998.
[10] In 1966 Harding married Morwenna Jacquiline St John Grey; they had two sons, Jonathan and Philip.