Name
William Albert Hardy
Jan 1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/10/1918
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/15578
Royal Sussex Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POINT-DU-JOUR MILITARY CEMETERY, ATHIES
III E 10
France
Headstone Inscription
No inscription
UK & Other Memorials
Redbourn War Memorial, Memorial panels, St Mary's Church, Redbourn, Cookham War Memorial, Berkshire
Pre War
William Albert Hardy was born in Luton in 1898 to Frank and Ellen Hardy.
In 1901 they were living at Holtsmere End Cottages, Redbourn with Frank described as a Farmer’s Son & Ploughman. Frank died in 1905. By 1911, the family had moved to West Common, Redbourn. The 1911 Census shows William living with his uncle and aunt at Sutton Farm, Cookham, Berkshire.
Wartime Service
Enlisted at Hertford formerly 5036 Hertfordshire Regiment.
Herts Advertiser & St Albans Times, 14-12-1918
PTE. W. HARDY, KILLED WHILST TAKING AMMUNITION UP TO THE LINE
Much sympathy is felt for the widowed mother and two sisters of Pte. William Hardy, who was killed in France on October 13th 1918, whilst engaged in taking ammunition up to the lines. Pte. Hardy enlisted at the age of 17 in the Royal Sussex Regiment. He first went to France in August 1915 and a few months later was invalided home suffering from smashed ribs. He did not return to France till the beginning of November 1917. Capt. Neale, in a letter to Mrs Hardy, wrote:- “Your son was in charge of a couple of pack animals attached to the battery on October 13th and was taking ammunition up to the line. The Germans suddenly sent a number of shells on to the track along which they were passing, killing one of the mules. A piece of the same shell struck your son. I am glad to be able to tell you that he did not suffer at all, and death must have been instantaneous. His body was interred by the burial party belonging to this division. All the officers and men join with me in offering their sincere sympathy to you in your great loss. Your son was very much liked by all, both for his cheerfulness and his readiness to do the risky tasks.” In another letter the officer adds that the deceased soldier’s grave is in the communal cemetery in the town of Henin Lietard, ten miles east of Lens. Pte. Hardy, whose home address is West Common, Redbourn, was only 20 years of age at the time of his death.
Acknowledgments
Gareth Hughes
Malcolm Lennox
