Transcriptions:
TPR. JOHN HARDY, 18. only son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hardy, of Lindsav, was killed in action in Belgium on Sept. 14. Enlisting with the Tank Corps at Kingston in March. 1943. he trained at Peterboro and Camp Borden. When last heard from he was with a British Columbia tank corps acting as a wireless operator. In addition to his parents, he is survived by two sisters, Joyce, on the staff of the Lindsay collegiate Institute, and Mrs. Charles Kennedy.
Trooper John H. Hardy makes Supreme Sacrifice
Mr. and Mrs. H. Hardy, 39 Glenelg St. W., town, received the sad news this morning of the death of their soldier son, Trooper John H. Hardy, while serving on active duty for his country in France, on Sept. 14.
Born in Ops Township, he would have attained his 19th birthday at Christmas of this year. He received his early education in Ops, attending Public School No. 11 there, and later coming to Lindsay, where he wrote his entrance examination and continued his studies at the Lindsay Collegiate Institute.
Previous to enlisting in the Canadian Army on May 17, 1943, he was employed by the Canadian Pacific Telegraph Co. here and was taking a course in wireless telegraphy.
Following his enlistment, he continued his studies in Wireless and at the time of his death he was a wireless operator attached to a tank corps with a British Columbia Regiment.
He arrived in England on February 26, this year and had been in France only a short time.
In faith the deceased was a member of Cambridge Street Baptist Church. The sincere sympathy of this community is extended to the bereaved family.
Warder, September 27, 1944
TPR. J. HARDY IS REPORTED KILLED O'SEAS
Only son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hardy, Glenelg St., was with B.C. Tank Corps.
Word has been received today by Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hardy 39 Glenelg St. W. that their only son Trooper John Hardy, was killed in action on September 14. He was just 18 years of age.
Enlisting with the Tank Corps at Kingston, on May 17, 1943, he took his training at Peterborough and Camp Borden, landing in England on February 28 this year. When last heard from he was with a British Columbia Tank Corps acting as wireless operator.
Well known in Lindsay where he was a favorite among a wide circle of friends, John Hardy received his public school education at S.S. No. 11 Ops, later moving with his family to Lindsay where he attended Lindsay Collegiate Institute until joining the Tank Corps last year.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by two sisters, Joyce, who is employed on the staff of the Lindsay Collegiate and Mrs. Chas. Kennedy, (Meryl) residing a short distance South of town.
Memorial Service held for late Tpr. John Hardy
Cambridge Street Baptist church congregation augmented by friends and relatives of the late Trooper John Hardy, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Hardy, Glenelg St., taxed to overflowing the present meeting quarters on Sunday when Rev. R.M. Harmer, BA, BD, conducted a solemn and impressive memorial service in honour and memory of the late Tpr. John Hardy who gave his life for his country in Belgium on September 14, 1944.
A member of Cambridge Street Baptist Church and a former member of the Sunday School, Tpr. John Hardy although only eighteen years of age was not one to shirk his responsibilities and gladly responded to the call of duty which ultimately led him to Belgium and a soldier's grave.
During the memorial service, words of tribute were read from his former minister, Rev. P.C. Reed. Beautiful floral tributes from loving friends banked the pulpit for the ceremony.
Transcription of PDF: Letter from John
"Everyone Laughs When He Sees the English Trains, But Do They Ever Go." Says John Hardy, Son of
Mr. and Mrs. Herb. Hardy of Town
Mr. and Mrs. Herb. Hardy, Glenelg St. W., received an air-mail letter Monday forenoon and a cable the same afternoon from their son, Tpr. John Hardy, acquainting them of his safe arrival overseas.
A few extracts from his letter will be of interest:
Dear Mom and Dad: I hope you got the cable in good time to relieve the silence. I'm trying all the different methods and you can let me know what kind of service we get on each.
We had good meals on the train through Que., N.B. and N.S. There was one cooking car and men were appointed to bring the food back to the coaches. When we first got on the train over here we were given coffee and doughnuts, gum, life-savers and cigarettes by the British women and American Red Cross. We also stopped twice along the way for tea. Everyone laughs when he first sees, the English trains, they are so small, little freight cars about the size of an express wagon and engines in proportion, but do they ever go! I like the coaches the way they are divided off into compartments for six, it's a bit more quiet and private. I haven't seen much, yet but Scotland seems to have it all over England - it's such a quaint place with narrow paths for roads and old stone fences all over. The people over here really know there is a war on. When the train passed through, even little children about three waved the victory V at us.
I hope you're getting cold weather for curling, Dad, and winning all the championships. We have quite a time in the blackouts, you can't see anything. I walked right into a brick wall last night.
Will write often, all for now
Love, John
Transcription of PDF:
Honour Memory of TPR John Hardy
Trooper John Herbert Hardy was killed in action in Belgium on September 14th, 1944. He was born in the township of Ops eighteen years ago. During the early years of his life he attended Rural School No. 11, in Ops Township.
Following this he attended Central School in Lindsay where he took the work of Grade 8. After spending two years at the Lindsay Collegiate Institute he entered the C.P.R. telegraph office in Lindsay to study telegraphy. While there, he decided to join the Armed Forces and became a Wireless operator in the Tank Corps. He enlisted at Kingston, but took his basic training in the city of Peterborough. At the conclusion of his basic training, he was transferred to Camp Borden and from there left this country to serve Overseas. His final leave in Canada was the weekend of February 6th of this year, and he arrived in England on February 26th, 1944.
Just prior to this time on January 9th, 1944, John followed his Lord in baptism. Owing to the fact that he was unable to be present on the next Communion Sunday he was given the right hand of fellowship into the Church at the Prayer Meeting on Wednesday, January 12, 1944. When last heard from he was with a British Columbia Tank Corps acting as wireless operator
Rev. P. C. Reed paid tribute to John Hardy in these words:
1. At such a time the mind turns to the Picture of Jesus with His face toward Jerusalem and His work to be accomplished on the cross.
2. Our hero John was not forced to go to this war. He volunteered. His wish was that he might be a Lindsay Hardy representative in this world fight for freedom.
3. This young hero proudly died in action. He did what he left home to do. He fell in battle with his face toward the foe.
"As I pondered the desire of John to make open confession of His Lord in baptism I could not help but link it to this very sound advice of a mature man to a young Christian soldier just on the threshold of life. "Fight the good fight of faith; Lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou are also called and hast professed a good profession.
4. He went forward overseas as a true Christian soldier. Before he left us he freely and fully made open confession of Christ in Baptism and Church Membership.
In proud remembrance this church does honor today to one of its youngest church members, to our young patriot to our dear and heroic family son, church son and community son and brother."
"Although I personally did not have the opportunity to know John I gather from those who did that he was courageous, unselfish, generous in spirit, humble, a lover of home, and therefore a good and loyal soldier.
"We desire at this service to pay our respects to his memory To his mother and father, his sisters Joyce and Mrs. Chas. Kennedy, and to all who are related to the family we sincerely express the prayer that God's grace may uplift and be found sufficient at all times.
Text: "Fight the good fight of faith; Lay hold on eternal life whereunto thou are also called and hast, professed a good profession before many witnesses. — 1 Tim. 6:12.
