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John Hardy

John Hardy

Lance Corporal 11870 - Grenadier Guards

Enlisted: Mansfield 19th Dec 1904

Died of Wounds 18th March 1918 : Aged 30

Mansfield (Nottingham Road) Cemetery, ref. A. 7165


Huthwaite Online WW1 Remembrance

Lance Corporal 11870 John Hardy was born Q4 1887 in Mansfield. Parents 1873 Q2 West Yorkshire marriage between a next door boarder, Railway Engine Driver Mr Herbert Hardy from Mansfield and neighbouring families daughter Miss Emma Buckle from Holbeck Leeds, managed to later secure their own family home in Carnforth, Lancashire. Fourth and fifth children born in Nottingham predates fathers home town return by 1886, while changing occupation through Boot Dealer to Insurance Agent.

Mansfield 1901 lists entire household at 29 Portland Street, last headed by Herbert Hardy 50 before his 1908 death. Mrs Emma Hardy 47, still mothered Benjamin 26, Sarah E 19, Herbert 17, Harry 15, John 13, Sybil Kate 11, William 9, and George Arthur 5.

Mr John Hardy began working as Errand Boy aged 13. Choosing to start military service aged 18 dates Pte 11870 signing 19th December 1904 attestation opting to join the Grenadier Guards. Completing 3 years short term service placed him in the Army Reserves from 19th December 1907. John's marriage 17th August 1910 at Henley Stafford with Miss Cecilia Ethel Burton from Sedgebrook Lincs., brings them to 14 King Street, Huthwaite, employed as Colliery Stoker. Huthwaite 1911 census lists John 23, just becoming a father with Mrs Cecilia Ethel Hardy 23 mothering their weeks old infant Jack Lionel, born 10th March 1901.

Private 11870 John Hardy was immediately called up from Army Reserves to enter the Great War. Mobilised 5th August 1914 to join 5th Reserves then landed him in France with Grenadier Guards Expeditionary Force 4th January 1915. Soldier experience soon appointed striped rank Lance Corporal from 28th January 1915. Severe battlefield wounds were inflicted two months later.

L/Cpl 11870 John Hardy was hospitalised back in England 15th March 1915. Tuberculosis complicated recovery until discharged 3rd April 1916 No longer physically fit for War Service.   Returning to Huthwaite, reportedly enduring painful disabilities afforded some community assistance and about two years family comfort until dying from wounds at home 18th March 1918, aged 30.

J Hardy is commemorated on both Huthwaite cemetery cenotaph, and upon the Nottingham Road Mansfield Memorial where he wished for burial with a simple family funeral. His youngest brother Pte 28093 G A Hardy shared earlier Huthwaite roll of honour.

J Hardy
J Hardy


Notts Free Press 22nd March 1918

Huthwaite Ex-Soldier's Death
Corporal Hardy’s Sudden End

The death took place on Monday, unexpectedly, of Corporal J. Hardy, at his home in King street, Huthwaite, at the age of 30. Corporal Hardy who was a native of Mansfield was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. H. Hardy. He was a reservist of the Grenadier Guards, and was called up on the outbreak of war, and went to France in the following January, and was badly wounded at La Bassee in March, just three years ago. He was in English hospitals and convalescent homes for 14 months, having developed tuberculosis, while some of his wounds never healed up and caused him intense suffering up to the end. After his return home he went about for some time in a bathchair, but eventually a luxurious invalid carriage was obtained for him from the Lord Kitchener Memorial Fund, and a donkey was provided locally, and many people will remember seeing him driving about the locality.

He never entertained the idea that he could recover, and he had to take to his bed ten days before his death, which was due to hemorrhage, although the end was not expected so soon. In spite of his continual pain and suffering he was always bright and cheery, and he lived as long as he did by sheer will-power. He never complained, but endured his hard lot with patience and fortitude. He leaves a widow and one son. The funeral took place at Mansfield Cemetery on Thursday, it being his own wish that he should be interred where his parents lie. A service was held at the Nottingham Road Primitive Methodist Church, with which the family have long been connected. There were only the immediate family mourners present, as it was another of the deceased’s wishes that there should be no military honours and no unnecessary display. One brother has been killed in action, and there are two others in the army. Two of his sisters are nurses, and there is a brother-in-law in France. This is an exceptionally good military record for one family. Another brother is Councillor Frank Hardy of Mansfield.


24 Jul 06     by Gary Elliott       Updated 08 Feb 14