No.3726, Private, Hubert HARDIMENT
Aged 21
4th/1st Bn. Cambridgeshire Regiment
Killed on Active Service on Saturday 1st April 1916
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Born in West Walton, Norfolk (Qtr 4-1895 Wisbech 3b:567), son of John and Sarah Ann HARDIMENT (née WILES). 1901 census...Aged 5, he was at West Walton with his father John HARDIMENT [47] horseman on farm, born Walsoken; his mother Sarah Ann [43] born Upwell; sister Emma [21] born Upwell and brother Henry [20] apprentice boot maker, born Emneth. 1911 census...Aged 15, a farm labourer, he was at Pingle Bridge, Upwell with his parants, father now a shepherd, mother had born 10 children but 6 had died.; his niece Grace HARDIMENT [8] born Wisbech (possibly Sarah Grace, daughter of his sister Emma) The pension card has his dependant as mother at New Bridge Drove, Upwell. His age, as given on his death certificate, was 19 years |
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The 4/1st Battalion, The Cambridgeshire Regiment was formed at Newmarket on the 6th November 1915. It was initially formed of 400 men, half came from the 2/1st and the other half from the 3/1st. On 12th December 1915 the 4/1st joined the 208th Brigade, 69th Division at Bury St Edmunds. Hubert was a gardener In late June 1916 the Battalion along with the rest of the 69th Division moved to Harrogate as part of the Local Forces, Northern Command. Hubert was on leave, in Bury St.Edmunds, when the town was bombed by Zeppelin L16. Hubert, in Beaconsfield Terrace, 84 Chalk Lane, stepped outside to see what the noise was about, just as two bombs fell. The back of the house collapsed, killing Hubert and injuring neighbours on either side It has not been established which family lived in the house. He was returned home to Upwell for burial. The lack of a medal index card may indicate, as seems likely from the above, that Hubert never served overseas. |
photo - Adrian Pye
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