Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

DUDLEY FREEMAN HARDY

Dudley Freeman Hardy was born in Glenelg, South Australia on the 18th of July, 1894. His mother was Elizabeth Hardy and his father was Louis Hardy.

Prior to enlisting, Dudley was training to become a soldier at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Australian Capital Territory. He was a part of the first intake of cadets to begin their training on the 22nd of June, 1911. He had other background education as a school teacher and was closely associated with Kadina, South Australia.

On the 14th of August, 1914, Dudley enlisted in the Australian Army and become a part of the 8th Battalion, B Company at the Royal Military College, Duntroon ACT. At this time, he was only 20 years of age and was one of the first group of men to enlist in World War One.

Dudley Hardy embarked on the 19th of October, 1914 from Melbourne, Victoria aboard the A24 Benalla. The 8th Battalion's destination was to Egypt. On embarkation, Dudley was ranked as a Lieutenant.

The 8th Battalion and Dudley made a short detour to Western Australia before heading to Egypt for training. Their boat landed in Egypt on the 2nd of December, 1914. After training in Egypt, the 8th Battalion were shipped to ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli on the 25th of April, 1915. This was a significant event in Australian history and is now remembered as 'ANZAC Day'. More than 20,000 Australians and New Zealanders landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula. On the first day of battle at Gallipoli, Dudley was shot in the right elbow. After he had fully recovered from his injury in early June 1915, he proceeded back to war at ANZAC Cove. Dudley was promoted to Captain and commanded the D company of the 8th Battalion.

The attack at Lone Pine opened on the 6th of August 1915 and ended on the 9th of August 1915. Dudley was a part of this battle which had over 2,000 Australian casualties. After this battle, Dudley and the 8th Battalion fought at Anzac Cove until they evacuated from Gallipoli on the 18th of December 1915.

Before he and his unit travelled to the Western Front, Dudley returned to Egypt and got married to a Russian women, Lydia Kliaguina at the Garrison Chapel, Abbassia on the 18th of January, 1916.

Dudley and the 8th Battalion entered into the Battle of Pozieres on the 23rd of July, 1916 against the Germans in the Somme Valley. At this battle, Dudley was rewarded for his 'splendid work' by his commanding officer. This battle lasted until the 7th of August, 1916.

The 5th of August is when the Battalion entered into another battle against the Germans, this time at Mouquet Farm. On the 18th of August, Dudley was near the windmill at around 8-9pm. While he was attacking the Germans trenches, he was shot above the knee. This injury was not enough to stop Dudley so he continued fighting. He then later had a horrific leg injury so Sergeant Kennedy carried Dudley back to safety. Sergeant Kennedy got wounded which meant he was not able to continue carrying Dudley back to the trenches. He left Dudley behind and informed Captain J.S about what had previously happened. Captain J.S Hurrey searched 'No Man's land' and Dudley was reported to the Red Cross as 'Wounded and Missing'. Captain J.S Hurrey was also informed by another soldier that Dudley handed him his flask and crawled away.

Dudley Freeman Hardy was killed in action on the 18th of August, 1916 at the young age of 21 years, during the battle at Mouquet Farm, France. He was buried at the Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle, France: Plot III, Row R, Grave No 24. Dudley has memorials at the the Kadina Memorial High School Arch, Kadina Arch in the Victoria Square Kadina, HB03 (Roll Of Honour in Taylor Street, Kadina) and at the HB04 (Roll Of Honour in Taylor Street, Kadina).

During the time Dudley was fighting in World War One, he received three medals. He received the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The 1914-15 Star is received by soldiers who serve against Germany between the 5th of August 1914 and the 31st of December 1915. This award is also known as 'Pip'. The British War Medal is an award received when men enter a theatre of war or entered a service overseas between the 5th of August 1914 and the 11th of November 1918. This is also known as 'Squeak'. The Victory medal was an award commemorated to the Allied forces when they succeeded in a battle against the Central Powers. It was also received when people entered war between the 5th of August 1914 and the 11th of November 1918. This is known as 'Wilfred'.

By Charlie Penna

Year 9 student, Kadina Memorial School.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Australian War Memorial. 2016. Australian War Memorial. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/unit/U51448/. [Accessed 20 June 2016].

ACT Memorial - About the Memorial. 2016. ACT Memorial - About the Memorial. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.memorial.act.gov.au/category.php?id=2. [Accessed 20 June 2016].

British Campaign Medals of the First World War (WW1). 2016. British Campaign Medals of the First World War (WW1). [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.greatwar.co.uk/medals/ww1-campaign-medals.htm. [Accessed 20 June 2016].

First World War Embarkation Rolls: Dudley Freeman Hardy | Australian War Memorial. 2016. First World War Embarkation Rolls: Dudley Freeman Hardy | Australian War Memorial. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1836861/. [Accessed 20 June 2016].

View digital copy . 2016. View digital copy . [ONLINE] Available at: http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4968379. [Accessed 20 June 2016].

2016. Details. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=126899. [Accessed 20 June 2016].

RSL Virtual War Memorial | Dudley Freeman HARDY. 2016. RSL Virtual War Memorial | Dudley Freeman HARDY. [ONLINE] Available at: https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/people/161922. [Accessed 20 June 2016].

Overview: 11th Battalion at the Landing | The ‘first to fall’, 25 April 1915 | Gallipoli and the Anzacs. 2016. Overview: 11th Battalion at the Landing | The ‘first to fall’, 25 April 1915 | Gallipoli and the Anzacs. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.gallipoli.gov.au/first-to-fall-25-april-1915/.[Accessed 23 June 2016].