Corporal Edward William Hardy

Date of Birth c. May 1891
Age at Death 26
Date of Death 05 June 1917
Service Number 794
Military Service 11th Battalion, Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force
Merton Address 2 Ladysmith Maisonettes, 19 Robinson Rd
Local Memorial Christ Church, Colliers Wood

Additional Information

Edward William Hardy was born to parents George Hardy and Mary Ann (nee Stanley.) His parents had married in 1883 and the marriage was registered in Gravesend, Kent.

In the census of 1891 just prior to Edward’s birth his parents George aged 29 and Mary Ann aged 36 who both came from Kent were living with three children George aged 7, Arthur aged 4 and Edith aged two at 5 Northfleet Crescent in Swanscombe Kent. George snr was working as a Cooper.

Edward William Hardy was born the following month in May 1891 in Swanscombe Kent. A further child, Bernard was born in 1899.

By 1901 Edward aged 9 is living with parents and four siblings now at number 19 Northfleet Crescent in Swanscombe. George snr and his eldest son were both working as Cement Labourers, whilst Arthur aged 14 was working as a Goods Clerk for the Railway.

At the end of 1907 (Oct-Dec) when Edward is aged 16, his mother Mary dies aged 53. Two years later on 19th July 1909 his older brother George died from tuberculous meningitis in the Greenwich Union Infirmary. George was listed as a Railway Porter, aged 25 and married.

In the census of 1911 Edward’s father George, is living with two of his children, Edith aged 22 and Bernard aged 12 at Emily Cottage, in Stanhope Road, Swanscombe. George is working as a Cooper at a Cement works and Edith is listed as a home House keeper. Edward aged 19 is still single but has now left home and listed as a boarder with a family called Stephens at 65 Bath Street in Gravesend. He is working as a Fitters Engineer.

Edward’s sister Edith married Leonard Simmons in Dartford Jul-Sept 1913.

Edward departed London on the 31st July 1914 on the Ship “Otway” bound for Australia. He was listed as a Gunner with the occupation soldier, and was travelling with a group of other soldiers of various ranks so must have enlisted in England.

Records show he then enlisted as a Private with the Australian Imperial Force 11th Battalion at Blackboy Hill in Western Australia in September 1914. When he enlisted he was described as being 5ft 9in tall, chest 35½ - 37, Complexion ruddy with grey eyes and black hair.

Edward went absence without leave the following month and was made to forfeit one day’s pay and given 3 days CC (confined to camp.)

The 11th battalion were stationed in Egypt until early March 1915. They then sailed on SS Suffolk and SS Nizam from Alexandria to the island of Lemnos in the Aegean Sea, in preparation for the Landing at Anzac Cove. It appears that whilst on board ship Edward complained about his breakfast which in turn led to him being arrested on the 13th March 1915.
He was charged with “whilst on active service, disobeying in such a manner as to show a wilful defiance of authority of a lawful command given by his superior officer in the execution of his office.” Edward pleaded not guilty saying he hadn’t realized that he was on active service whilst on board ship. He was found guilty and given 3 months’ field punishment which was reduced to five weeks’ field punishment.

At the end of September 1915 whilst out in Gallipoli, Edward became unwell. Suffering from Influenza he spent several weeks in a military hospital then transferred by hospital ship to England where he was admitted to a hospital in Birmingham on 18th October 1915.

On the 13th February 1916 Edward married Alice Margaret Dance at Christ Church in Mitcham. The marriage certificate listed his occupation as a Soldier in the Australian Imperial Force and their address was listed as 6 Cambridge Terrace, Devonshire Road, Colliers Wood. Alice who came from Gravesend in Kent was the daughter of Arthur and Alice Dance. Arthur Dance was listed as an Electrical Engineers fitter.

Edward embarked for Alexandria on 9th May 1916. He achieved the rank of Lance Corporal on 25th October 1916, and the rank of Corporal on 12th December 1916.

In late February 1917, the Germans fell back towards the Hindenburg line. As the Allies pursued the withdrawing Germans, the 11th Battalion captured Le Barque. After conducting a mopping-up operation they then advanced to Thilloy where they fought a minor engagement before being relieved by the 3rd Battalion. 12 men were killed and 30 wounded during the fighting and a further 10 men killed and 13 wounded by artillery. Sickness also took a heavy toll during this time due to the bad weather.

In April, as the Allied line pushed further forward towards the Hindenburg Line, the 11th Battalion played a supporting role during the 3rd Brigade's attack around Boursies, before occupying the front around the village of Louverval. On 15 April 1917 the 11th Battalion were fighting at the Battle of Lagnicourt. Edward was injured a few days earlier on the 11th April 1917. He was shot in the left leg and head and suffered a fracture skull and other injuries.

He returned to England a few days later and admitted to the 2nd Southern General Hospital, Bristol on the 2nd May where he remained in hospital for 35 days. He died from his wounds on the 5th of June 1917 aged 26. Cause of death was Septic Meningitis.

Edward was buried at Swanscombe cemetery in Kent on 12th June 1917 and interred with full military honours. His coffin was carried on a gun carriage and draped with the Union Jack and the Last Post was sounded by 3 buglers. Chief mourners were his wife Alice along with 12 other relatives.

Edward is also remembered on a memorial at Christ Church in Colliers Wood.

His widow Alice remarried on 24th May 1926 at Christ Church, Colliers Wood at which time her address was listed as 19 Robinson Road. Her new husband was a Widower Ernest George Rooke a Fruit Manager aged 33 who was living at 70 Park Road.

Comments

* Required field