| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Fred was born in Cottingham in 1887, his father Robert was a farm labourer, born in Cottingham, and his mother, Sarah was born in Thorne. Fred had nine siblings who were born between 1885 and 1907. The 1901 census shows Fred aged 15 living in Beverley Parks, Woodmansey, employed by farmer, William Barrett, as third lad, waggoner. By 1909 his father, Robert, had died and the widowed Sarah emigrated to Canada with six of Fred’s younger siblings. In Feb 1904 Fred enlisted in the East Yorkshire Regiment Militia, census returns for 1911 show he was in India, serving as a Private in the 90th Battery of the RFA. By the time he married Lilly Fisher in Nov 1912, at St. Nicholas Church, Beverley, Fred had returned to his original occupation of farm labourer, and was employed at Walkington Wolds. Lilly was one of three daughters of George Fisher who originated from Holme on Spalding Moor, a gardener and a preacher in the Wesleyan Chapel circuit. Fred and Lilly had a son, Herbert, born in 1913.
The only information found regarding Fred’s service in the war is taken from reports in the Beverley Guardian. In Dec 1916 his photograph appeared along with those of three of Lilly’s brothers. Fred is shown as a Gunner with the RFA. The only other reference appeared in the issue dated 11th May 1918, 'Gunner Hardy – R.F.A. – Gassed. Mrs Hardy of Beckside, Beverley has received word that her husband, Gunner Hardy, has been gassed and is now in hospital at York. He is progressing favourably'.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |