WILLIAM FREDERICK HARDY
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Images courtesy of Diane.
Born: 7th February 1914, Ipswich.
Died: 27th May 1940; age: 26; died of wounds received during the fierce action at the Comines Canal. The 3rd Battalion were covering the withdrawal to Dunkirk.
Residence: 619, Bramford Road, Ipswich.
First served with the Grenadier Guards from September 1932 to October 1936. At the outbreak of war, William was recalled from the Reserve.
Rank: Guardsman; Service Number: 2613354.
Regiment: Grenadier Guards, 3rd Battalion – Foot Guards.
Medals Awarded: Military Medal. London Gazette – 20th December 1940. His citation reads:
“On the 21st May 1940, this Guardsman twice volunteered to return from his forward post to fetch ammunition. This necessitated crossing over ground that was heavily swept by MG fire. By his gallant conduct, his platoon was able to maintain their fire and inflict heavy casualties on the enemy.”
Grave Reference:
British Plot – Grave 71.
Comines (Komen) Communal Cemetery,
Hainault,
Belgium.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Mr. & Mrs. W. Hardy, of 49, Beaconsfield Road, Ipswich; husband of Ada Hardy, of Ipswich.
Father: Alfred William Hardy, born December 1888, Ipswich. A Maintenance Electrician.
Mother: Mabel Blanche Hardy (nee Tooley), born April 1881, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.
CENSUS
1921 49, Beaconsfield Road, Ipswich.
William was 7 years & 4 months old. He attended School and lived with his sisters.
Alfred Hardy, 35 years & 6 months, a Foundry Crane Driver – Vickers & Petters Ltd., Engine Oil Manufacturers, of Hadleigh Road, Ipswich.
Blanche Hardy, 40 years & 2 months, House Duties.
Marjorie May Hardy, 5 years & 1 month, at School, born Ipswich.
Dorothy Evelyn Hardy, 11 months old, born Ipswich.
In 1937, Ipswich, William married Ada May Hodge, born December 1913, Chard, Somerset – daughter of Albert Hodge, a builder’s labourer, and Annie Hodge (nee Vickery), of 16, Bonfire Close, Chard.
Ada and William had one daughter:
Gillian Hardy
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939.
William’s wife and daughter lived at their family home with Ada’s brother – 619, Bramford Road, Ipswich.
Ada, unpaid Domestic Duties.
Gillian.
Frederick Harry Hodge, a Boot & Shoe Repairer, born January 1910, Chard, Somerset.
William is also remembered on the war memorial at the Town Hall, Ipswich
Extra information from the Grenadier Guards Gazette – 2010, Issue 33.
4 Comments
William Frederick Hardy, (Uncle Bill) was my mothers brother, my mother was Margaret May Collins, known as Molly (nee Hardy).
I know something of the patchy history of Uncle Bill and visited his gravesite in Belgium with my late parents. The record speaks for itself, Uncle Bill was a hero and made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life like so many of his generation.
As a nephew to Uncle Bill, am far removed I migrated to Australia many years ago. Australia pays great reverance to fallen hero’s, ” LEST WE FORGET”
I have discovered this afternoon the “chemin du 3eme bataillon de grenadier” in Comines or Komen in Belgium with a reference to your uncle and to the battle end of May 1940.
We will remember his sacrifice and God bless him
RiP William
Fabien
My Mum is Gillian, William’s daughter. She is 87 and still living in Ipswich. She remains proud of her father’s bravery. She was only two years old when he was killed.
My Mum is Gillian, William’s daughter. She is 87 and still lives in Ipswich. One of her strongest memories is going to Buckingham Palace with her Mum to be presented with his Military Medal.