WALTER LOUIS HARDY
Born: 1902, Ipswich.
Died: Wednesday, 24th July 1918; age: 16; of Pneumonia – 8 days & 22 days and Heart Failure, at Military Hospital, Out Risbygate, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. Present at the death Mary Hardy – mother.
No post-mortem.
Residence: 6, Boston Road, Ipswich.
Religion: Roman Catholic.
Enlistment Location: Warley, Essex.
Rank: Bands Boy; Service Number: 9750.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 3rd Battalion – Depot – Out Risbygate, Bury St. Edmunds.
Grave Reference:
34.33A.
Suffolk.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of James Henry & Mary Anne Hardy, of 6, Boston Road, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1911 34, Phoenix Road, Ipswich.
Walter was 9 years old and living with his mother.
Mary Ann Hardy (nee Hughes), 53, a Sick Nurse – Domestic, born in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
On the 1911 census, Walter’s father, James Henry Hardy, was 67 years old and a Patient at Ipswich Lunatic Asylum, Foxhall Road. He was a Net Maker and an Army Pensioner – Cook, born Castle Hedingham, Essex.
Walter’s father, James Henry Hardy, died 1918, Ipswich.
Soldier’s Effects to Mary A. Hardy – mother.
Walter is remembered on the war memorial at St. Pancras Catholic Church, Ipswich.
Bury Free Press – Saturday, 3rd August 1918 – MILITARY FUNERAL AT BURY – AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE – The funeral of Walter Louis Hardy, of Ipswich, a member of the band of the Suffolk Regiment, whose death occurred on Wednesday, 24th July 1918, at Bury St. Edmunds, took place on Saturday afternoon in the Borough Cemetery with full military honours. There was a large concourse of people present, and on every hand signs of sincere sympathy and respect marked the solemnity of the occasion.
The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, on which rested several magnificent wreaths, and a large number of officers and men were in the procession. The band of the Suffolk Regiment, under Bandmaster B. Beale, led the cortege, and played Chopin’s “Funeral March” on the way, and, upon approaching the Cemetery, Handel’s “Dead March” in “Saul.” The Reverend Father Bernard Samuel McCaul, of Ipswich, met the procession at the gates and conducted the last rites. A detachment of soldiers fired three volleys, and the “Last Post” was given with much effect. The mourners included Walter’s mother and other relatives. The coffin was of polished elm with brass fittings, and on the breastplate was the inscription: “9750 Boy Walter Hardy, Suffolk Regiment, died July 24th, 1918, aged 16 years.” The floral tributes, composed of the choicest flowers, bore inscriptions as follows: –
“My darling son, from his sorrowing Mother.”
“To our darling brother, from his sorrowing Brothers and Sisters.”
“With deepest sympathy, from J.P. and S.”
“To Uncle Walter, with love from Josie, Jessie, Betty, and Jean.”
“With sincere sympathy, from Mrs. C. Parry Cooke.”
“Lt. Col. C. Parry Crooke, C.M.G., and the Officers, Depot Suffolk Regiment, with sincere sympathy.”
With deepest sympathy, from the Band, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.
“With sincere sympathy, from the W.O.’s, N.C.O.’s, and men of A Company, Depot Suffolk Regiment.”
“With sincere sympathy, from the W.O.’s, N.C.O.’s, and men of B Company, Depot Suffolk Regiment.”
“In remembrance of our dear comrade, from his fellow Patients and the Staff.”
“With sincere sympathy, from Mrs. Harwood.”
Suffolk Regiment, 3rd Battalion
Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
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