Selected Biographies

Hardy, Albert – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 1.6.1868.[1]  Parents: Charles Hardy (Agricultural Labourer) and Susan [née Stewart] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Father of Albert Frank Hardy [b1893]; also, brother to Alfred Sidney Hardy [b1880], George Hardy [b1882] and Arthur Hardy [b1886], and cousin of Arthur Hardy[b1880] and Alfred J. Hardy [b1884].  Home: White Hart Yard, Hall Street, Long Melford (1871), Hall Street, Long Melford (1881), Station Road, Long Melford (1891), 42 Rosebury Avenue, Finsbury, London (1901), Jerusalem Passage, Clerkenwell, London (1911), 1 Cyprus Street, Clerkenwell [1914].  Occupation: Maltster’s Labourer (1891), Bricklayer’s Labourer (1911), Carman [1914].  Married: Jane Phyllis Sillitoe in 1893.  Service Record: A member of 2^nd [Volunteer] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment being discharged in 1898.  Albert enlisted on 14.9.1914 as Dvr.T1/4587 with 157^th [Horse Transport] Company, Army Service Corps attached to 19^th [Western] Divisional Train.  He received his discharge as ‘not likely to become an efficient soldier’ on 27.2.1915.  Albert gave a false age at enlistment of 34 instead of his actual age of 46, which may have been the reason for his dismissal.[2]

Hardy, Albert Frank – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 5.6.1893.[3]  Parents: Albert Hardy (Maltster’s Labourer) and Jane Phyllis [née Sillitoe].  Family Connections: Nephew Alfred Sidney Hardy [b1880], George Hardy [b1882] and Arthur Hardy [b1886].  Home: 42 Rosebury Avenue, Finsbury, London (1901), 12 Jerusalem Passage, Clerkenwell, London (1911).  Occupation: Silversmith’s Assistant (1911).  Service Record: Albert attested as Pte.7058 with 2/8^th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, transferring as Pte.49840 to 14^th [Service] Battalion, DLI, then as Rfn.45335 to 1/5^th [City of London] Battalion [London Rifle Brigade], London Regiment, as part of 169^th Brigade, 56^th [1/1^st London] Division.  Both latter battalions saw action during the Somme Offensive of 1916.[4]  Died: Albert died on 27.8.1918 in N^o. 19 Casualty Clearing Station at Frévant, from wounds received at Croisilles during the Second Battle of the Scarpe and is buried in Saint Hilaire Cemetery Extension [grave ref: plot 23], Frévent, Pas-de-Calais, France.[5]

Hardy, Alfred J. – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1884.  Parents: George Hardy (Engineers Labourer) and Annie Maria [née Groome].  Family Connections: Cousin of Albert Hardy [b1868], Alfred Sidney Hardy [b1880], George Hardy [b1882], Arthur Hardy [b1886] and Arthur Hardy[b1880].  Home: Rotten Row, Long Melford (1891), Station Road, Long Melford (1901).  Occupation: Coconut Matting Labourer for George Whittle of Long Melford (1901).  Service Record: Alfred served in 2^nd [Volunteer] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment up to 1901.  He enlisted in that year as Pte.5423 with 3^rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolks, purchasing his discharge in 1902.  It is not known if he served during the First World War as no definitive record has been found.[6]

Hardy, Alfred [known as Sidney] – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 6.2.1880.[7]  Parents: Charles Hardy (Agricultural Labourer) and Susan [née Stewart] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Albert Hardy [b1868], George Hardy [b1882] and Arthur Hardy [b1886]; also, uncle of Albert Frank Hardy and cousin of Arthur Hardy[b1880] and Alfred J. Hardy [b1884].  Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1881), Station Road, Long Melford (1891), Suffolk Regimental Barracks, Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (1901), 5 Grimwoods Yard, Sudbury, Suffolk (1911).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911).  Service Record: Alfred enlisted in 1901, under the name Sidney Hardy, as Pte.5328 with 3^rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, receiving his discharge in 1907.  He attested again under his middle name, probably in 1915, as Pte.26293 of 2^nd Battalion, Suffolks, being posted to France and transferring to 11^th [Service] Battalion, Suffolks as part of 101^st Brigade, 34^th Division.[8]  Died: Private Hardy was killed in action on 28.4.1917 during a bitter attack and counterattack on and around the chemical works near Roeux and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial [bay 4], Faubourg d’Amiens British Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France, and the Long Melford War Memorial.[9]

Hardy, Arthur – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 30.9.1880.[10]  Parent: Martha Hardy [b1861].  Family Connections: Cousin of Albert Hardy [b1868], Alfred Sidney Hardy [b1880], George Hardy [b1882], Arthur Hardy [b1886] and Alfred J. Hardy[b1884].  Home: Living with Eliza Hardy (Grandmother) in Rotten Row, Long Melford (1881 and 1891), Church Street, Stoke-by-Nayland, Suffolk (1901), The Green, Barrow, Suffolk (1911), Rosslyn, Faggot Row, Barrow, Suffolk (1939).  Occupation: Grocer’s Assistant (1901 and 1911), Baker [1918], Baker’s Roundsman and Air Raid Warden (1939).  Married: Ida Muriel Herbert Banks in 1911.  Service Record: Arthur was conscripted on 17.7.1918 as Pte.268969 with the Royal Air Force, posted to France from 28.8.1918 to 3.12.1918 as a cook, receiving his discharge in April 1920.[11]  Died: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk in 1962.

Hardy, Arthur – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 6.6.1886.[12]  Parent: Charles Hardy (Agricultural Labourer) and Susan [née Stewart (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Albert Hardy [b1868]. Alfred Sidney Hardy [b1880] and George Hardy [b1882]; also, uncle of Albert Frank Hardy and cousin of Arthur Hardy [b1880] and Alfred J. Hardy [b1884].  Home: St Catherines Road, Long Melford [1886], Station Road, Long Melford (1891), Rodbridge Street, Long Melford (1901), Rotten Row, Long Melford (1911), 19 Station Road, Long Melford (1939).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1901 and 1911), Cowman and Milker for William Jennings Mills on Rodbridge Farm [1916], Cowman (1939).  Married: Julia Plumb in 1908.  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in June 1916, William Jennings Mills, Arthur’s employer, applied for exemption on his behalf.  He was given two months grace before conscription.  In the following November and again in March 1917 his employer once more sought his exemption, which the Tribunal on each occasion granted, on the condition that a substitute be found to take his place in the Army.[13]  It is not known if he was actually conscripted as no definitive military record has been found.  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1961.

Hardy, Bernard George – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 9.8.1893.[14]  Parents: William Hardy (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Cepha [née Simonds].  Home: Little St Marys, Long Melford (1901), 10 Argyle Road, West Ealing, Middlesex (1911).  Occupation: Shop Assistant (1911).  Service Record: Bernard was conscripted on 15.2.1916 as Rfn.741703 with 25^th [County of London] Cyclists Battalion, London Regiment, being posted to France from 21.7.1917 and transferring to 2/10^th [County of London] Battalion [Hackney], London Regiment from 9.8.1917 to 2.10.1917 as part of 175^th Brigade, 58^th [2/1^st London] Division.  During his time with the Division, he saw action at the Battles of the Menin Road Ridge and Polygon Wood, both phases of the Third Battles of Ypres.  He was issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged in February 1919.[15]

Hardy, Ernest William – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 8.1.1880.[16]  Parents: William Hardy (General Labourer) and Lucy [née Farrance].  Home: Station Road, Long Melford (1881 to 1901), Sudbury Road, Rodbridge, Long Melford (1911), 1 Kent Cottages, Rodbridge Hill, Long Melford (1939) to [1952].  Occupation: House Painter (1901 and 1911), Plumber and Fitter for H. Bell and Sons [Builders] [1917].[17]  Married: Rose Evelyn Bird in 1909.  Service Record: At the Long Melford Military Service Tribunal in June 1916 Ernest’s employer applied for his exemption from conscription, which was granted for six months.  Bell and Sons reapplied in the following January and were granted conditional exemption on his behalf.  In October 1918 the National Service Representative sought to have Hardy’s certificate of exemption revoked by the East Suffolk Appeals Tribunal, this failed and at the next sitting of the Melford Tribunal an exemption for a further six months agreed.[18]  It is not known if he was actually conscripted at the end of the six months, although this would seem unlikely as the Armistice came into force barely a month after his certificate of exemption had been issued.  Died: Long Melford, Suffolk on 1.11.1952.[19]

Hardy, George – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 26.2.1882.[20]  Parents: Charles Hardy (Agricultural Labourer) and Susan [née Stewart] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Albert Hardy [b1868], Alfred Sidney Hardy [b1880] and Arthur Hardy [b1886]; also, uncle of Albert Frank Hardy and cousin of Arthur Hardy[b1880] and Alfred J. Hardy [b1884].  Home: Station Road, Long Melford (1891), Rodbridge Street, Long Melford (1901), 81 Melford Road, Sudbury [1905].  Occupation: Groom (1901).  Service Record: George enlisted in 1901 as Dvr.T/17779 with 20^th Company, Army Service Corps.  He was kicked by a horse and discharged in 1902.  He enlisted again in 1905 as Pte.6752 of 3^rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment being discharged as medically unfit in 1905.  It is not known if he saw service during the First World War as no definitive record has been found.[21]

Hardy, Percy – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 3.8.1897.[22]  Parents: Henry Hardy (Coconut Mat Maker) and Ellen [née Leeks] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to William Harry Hardy [b1889].  Home: Westgate Street, Long Melford (1901 and 1911).  Married: Laura Ethel Salter, formally Thompson née Shinn in 1962.  Service Record: Percy attested as Pte.34450 with 2^nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, transferring to 8^th [Service] Battalion, then 11^th [Service] Battalion, Suffolks.  He was wounded twice in 1917, however it is not recorded with which unit he was serving, and when and where he was stationed at the time of his injuries.[23]  All three battalions saw action during the Arras Offensive and the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917.[24]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1986.

Hardy, William Harry – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 25.8.1889.[25]  Parents: Henry Hardy (Coconut Mat Maker) and Ellen [née Leeks] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Percy Hardy [b1897].  Home: Westgate St, Long Melford (1891) to [1916].  Occupation: Gardener (1911), Ploughman for Jackson Brothers on Bridge Street Farm, Long Melford [1916].  Married: Emily Suttle in 1919.  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in March 1916 the Jackson Brothers, his employers applied for William’s exemption from conscription.  They said they had lost four men and were now down to two men and a boy since the War had begun.  Exemption was granted.[26]  It is not known if Hardy’s certificate remained valid until the end of hostilities, however no definitive military record has been found suggest otherwise.  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk 1983.

Related Biographies

Albon, George – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 21.9.1876.[27]  Parents: Ann Albon (Horsehair Weaver) [married Samuel Drury (Coconut Mat Weaver) in 1883].  Family Connections: Brother to Albert Roger Albon [b1878] and half-brother to Frederick Drury [b1884].  Home: Living with James Albon (Uncle) at High Street, Long Melford (1881), living with Mother and Samuel Drury (adopted Father) at High Street, Long Melford (1891), living with Harry Steed (Brother-in-Law) at 10 Bridgemen Road, Acton, Middlesex (1901), Westgate Hill, Long Melford (1911), Bull Lane, Long Melford (1939).  Occupation: Furniture Carman’s Assistant (1901), Gardener (1911).  Married: Ada Hardy in 1903.  Service Record:  Although no definitive military record has been found, George may have attested on 3.4.1915 as Pte.3253 with 1/5^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.  If this assumption is correct then he was posted to Gallipoli 15.11.1915, then to Egypt, being renumbered in 1917 as Pte.240938, and may have gone on to see action during the campaign in Palestine in 1917/18.  He may also have been issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged due to poly-articular rheumatism in March 1919.[28]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1950.

French, George Albert – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 25.3.1889.[29]  Parents: Charles Robert French (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Mary Ann [née Potter].  Family Connections: Brother to Charles William French [b1884] and Harry Ernest French [b1892]; also, half-brother to Arthur Robert Potter [b1873]; also, brother-in-law of Richard Sidney Debenham [b1881], William Charles Gridley [b1888], David Howe [b1893] and Henry Quarterman [b1889].  Home: Bull Lane, Long Melford (1891 to 1939).  Occupation: Horseman on Farm (1911), Horseman and Ploughman for H. Turner of Acton, Suffolk [1916], Agricultural Labourer (1939).  Married: Minnie Hardy in 1923.  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in August 1916 George’s employer Mr H. Turner of Acton applied for his exemption, which was refused.[30]  Conscription should have followed shortly after; however, no definitive military record has been found.  However, a member of the family has identified George as a returning veteran on the Melford Hall commemorative photograph and provided the group shot, showing him in his hospital ‘Blues’ recovering from an injury.  Died: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk in 1971.

Notes – [1] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 5.7.1868, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford.  [2] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [3] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 22.9.1895, Holy Redeemer Church, Exmouth Market, Islington, London. [4] For details of London Rifle Brigade’s movements around the time of Albert’s death see War Diary [WO 95/2962/4].  See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [5] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record, British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 746031].  [6] See his Chelsea Hospital British Army Service Record [WO 97] up to 1902.  [7] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 4.4.1880, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford.  [8] For details of 11^th Suffolk’s movements around the time of Hardy’s death see War Diary [WO 95/2458/3] and Murphy, Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. R. The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 [London: Hutchinson and Co, 1928], pp.249-55.  He was wrongly reported as missing by the local newspaper see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 20.6.1917.  See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372], all in the name of Sidney Hardy.  [9] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 563751].  [10] The 1939 Register for Thingoe Rural District in Suffolk records his date of birth as 30.9.1881. [11] Date of birth from his Air Member for Personnel and predecessors: Airman’s Records [AIR 79/2372]. [12] Date of birth from Baptism Register 25.11.1886, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [13] For the Tribunal’s rulings see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 21.6.1916, 8.11.1916 and 28.3.1917.  [14] Date of birth from Admission Register 22.2.1897, St Catherines Infants School, Long Melford. [15] For details of 2/10^th London’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/3009/5].  See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War, Silver War Badge [WO 329] record [ref: B145822], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [16] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Long Melford.  [17] Employer’s business taken from Kelly’s Directory for Suffolk in 1916. [18] For the Tribunal’s rulings see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 7.6.1916, 10.1.1917 and 9.10.1918. [19] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar.  [20] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 2.4.1882, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [21] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363].  [22] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 1.9.1897, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [23] For reports on Percy’s wounding see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 13.6.1917 and 17.10.1917. [24] For details of the movements of 2^nd, 8^th, and 11^th Suffolks see War Diaries [WO 95/1437/2, WO 95/2039/1-5, and WO 95/2458/3 and WO 95/3062/2]; also see Murphy, Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. R. The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 [London: Hutchinson and Co, 1928], pp.219-225, 238-43 and 249-55.  See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [25] Date of birth from Baptism Register 1.12.1889, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [26] For details of the Tribunal ruling see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 15.3.1916.  [27] Date of birth from Baptism Register 3.6.1877, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [28] For details of 1/5^th Suffolk’s time in Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine see War Diaries [WO 95/4325 and WO 95/4658] and Fair and Wolton, pp.13-107.  See also his Silver War Badge record [ref: B149987] [WO 329], Medal Roll [WO 329], and Medal Index Card [WO 372].  [29] Date of birth from Baptism Register 2.6.1889, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [30] For the Tribunal’s ruling see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 16.8.1916.