No.197989, Lieutentant, Bernard Tresham HARDY M.M.
Aged 30
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Born on 14th November 1913 in Theddingworth, ( qtr 4 1913 Market Harborough 7a:22), son of Harold Edward and Beatrice Caroline HARDY (née SILLS),
of Gundrada, Lewes, later of 16 Angel Hill, Bury St.Edmunds He married Vivien Mary Fenton ARCHER in Kensington in 1941 later of West Acton, Middlesex. They had one daughter
Roll of honour in the Oakhamian Magazine, Summer term 1944, Vol.59 CWGC currently (June 2021) have two dates for his death 10th June and 14th (headstone) |
13th/18th Hussars amphibious tanks near Ouistreham D-Day On the 10th of June, R.H.Q., 'B' Squadron and the Reconnaissance Troop took part in a supposedly minor operation in support of the 7th and I I th Para. -battalions of the 6th Airborne Division, with the object of effecting a junction with the 3rd Para.-Brigade, which had been cut off from the rest of the Division. The party made their way down the hill to BENOUVILLE and over the bridge spanning the ORNE and CAEN CANAL. Units were briefed on the far side of the river, and the attack started at 2.30 p.m. The operation was completely successful, and the enemy were estimated to have lost a hundred killed and over one hundred prisoners. Unfortunately, several enemy anti-tank guns, concealed in BREVILLE woods on the left flank, opened up, destroying two Stuart tanks and four Shermans of the Regiment. Lieutenant Hardy and eight other ranks were killed, and Lieutenant Coker and two other ranks wounded. The men of the 6th Airborne Division, who had been having a very tough time, were delighted and heartened by this operation, and by the mere presence of the tanks.
His original burial was in Breville, he was re-interred in July 1945 click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
