George Hardy
Perth Cemetery
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Allanson Hardy was born in Sacriston in about 1884, the youngest son and one of five boys and four girls, born to James Hardy (Findon Hill 1849 - 1899 Sacriston) and Fanny Clark Kinchin (Basingstoke, Hampshire 1850 - 1929 Sedgefield, Co Durham). James and Fanny where married in Sedgefield, April 24th 1871. James was a tailor and the sexton of St Peter’s Sacriston, Fanny worked as a dressmaker. George found work, at the age of 18 years as a pony putter at the colliery where his brothers were also employed. Whilst their father James was alive the family lived in Witton Gilbert but after his demise they moved to Chilton and in 1911 were living at 44, West Chilton Terrace, Ferryhill. George was still working at the colliery but was now a deputy overman.
At the outbreak of war he enlisted as Private 6/1048 George Allanson Hardy, Durham Light Infantry, “X”, Coy 1st/6th Battalion. He was sent to France April 17th 1915 landing in Boulogne the 19th. Less than a month later May 5th 1915 the Newcastle Journal reported he had been wounded during the Second Battle of Ypres. George recovered and rejoined his Battalion. May 1915 the 6th D. L. I. was assigned to the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division. December 24th 1915 the Battalion was in huts near Dickebusche. Word would have reached George that his eldest brother, John, who was also part of the same Battalion had been killed outright during the heavy bombardment of December 20th. On December 25th the Battalion was visited by Major General Wilkinson who wished all officers and ranks, “A Merry Xmas and A Happy New Year”. It must have been a terrible time for George, not only for the loss of his brother but the separation from his family, aggrieved by the dire conditions of the Belgian winter. The following days were employed repairing trenches and New Years Eve, “X” Company was at Maple Copse. January 16th, “X” Company were sent to the Canal Dugouts and the following months remained in the Sanctuary Woods, Hooge area. Private 6/1048 George Allanson Hardy was killed in action March 1st 1916 and is interred at Perth Cemetery (China Wall), West - Vlaanderen, near Ypres, Belgium, grave I L 7. His headstone bears the words, “ In Loving Memory, Christ Is Thy Strength and Christ Thy Right” and cost 14/- (fourteen shillings) which would have been paid by his family. He was 32 years old and unmarried.
George’s brother John William Hardy had also enlisted as Private 6/3428 John William Hardy, 1st/6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. Killed in action, 10 weeks prior to his brother George, he too is buried at Perth Cemetery (China Wall), West - Vlaanderen, near Ypres, Belgium, in the same row, grave I L 11. Hopefully, the knowledge that they were buried together, gave some comfort to their grieving mother and siblings.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
George Allanson Hardy is remembered at Chilton on C107.01, C107.04 and C107.12
