Reginald Herbert William Hardy was born in Heatley, Cheshire, on the 16th December 1888. The second of six children, he was the only son to John and Emma Hardy. John was a storekeeper in a factory, and the family moved with his work: Reginald’s younger siblings were born as far apart as Grappenhall, Runcorn and Leicester.
By 1901, the family had settled in Cardiff, and were living at 53 Pentrebane Street. John’s job had changed, and he was vaguely recorded as a contractor agent.
When he completed his schooling, Reginald took work as a goods clerk for Great Western Railways. In the summer of 1908 he married local woman Annie Harvey. The couple set up home at 78 Clive Street, just around the corner from his parents, and went on to have two children, daughters Vera and Lilian.
When war broke out, Reginald stepped up to play his part. Full details of his service have been lost, but it is clear that he gained a commission in the Welch Regiment, and, by the autumn of 1915, he was in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Deaths
HARDY. – November 4th, at Bangor Military Hospital, Lieutenant RHW Hardy, 3rd Welsh Regiment, of pneumonia, beloved husband of Annie (née Harvey). 11 Pentre-gardens, Cardiff. To be interred at Caldicot
HARDY. – November 4th, at the Military Hospital, Bangor, North Wales, Lieutenant Reginald HW Hardy, 3 Battalion Welsh Regiment, late Salonika Army (of pneumonia), beloved only son of Mr and Med JW Hardy, Swansea. Funeral at Caldicot, Mon., Saturday next, ex 1.41 train, Severn Tunnel Junction.
[Western Mail: Wednesday 6th November 1918]
Reginald Herbert William Hardy was 29 years of age when he passed. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Mary’s Church, Caldicot, Monmouthshire.
