A SAD ENDING
Edward Thomas Hardy - 57th Battalion

Born in England, 20 year-old Edward Hardy, a farm labourer, enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Melbourne on July 16, 1915 where upon he was sent to camp at Broadmeadows.

Leaving Melbourne for the Middle East in October 1915 on board the ship Nestor , Hardy was a part of the 4 th infantry battalion, disembarking at Alexandria and proceeding to camp at Tel-El-Kebir where he transferred to the 7 th battalion.

After spending a few months as part of the 7 th battalion he transferred to the 59 th battalion before changing yet again, this time joining the 57 th infantry battalion. After spending time in camp at Moascar he embarked for Marseilles onboard the Transylvania on the 17 th of June 1916 , disembarking on the 23 rd of June and taking a train to northern France where upon he was sent to billets at Estaires and then Sailly.

From the 11 th of July Hardy took part in operations against the Germans near Sailly where the 57 th were subjected to heavy shelling as they prepared defensive positions, suffering 140 casualties. However, things soon got worse as Hardy then took part in the allied attacks on Fromelles as part of the 57 th battalion.

Hardy stayed in the Fleurbaix area after the battle before going on leave to the UK in early January 1917. Upon his return from leave he saw action at Warlencourt, Flers and Guedecourt.

In April he was made a Lance Corporal, seeing further action at Bapaume, Beaumetz, Morchies and Bullecourt, following which he was sent back to England where he went to the 15 th Training Battalion.

After being made a Corporal in July 1917 he returned to France , rejoining his unit and seeing action at Broodseinde.

Hardy then fell ill and took leave again at the end of 1917, returning to action in early 1918 with operations at Messines, Wytschaete, Corbie, Amiens , Villers-Bretonneaux, Dernancourt and Morlancourt.

On the 29 th of September 1918 he was wounded in action with shrapnel to the buttock near Peronne and was sent to hospital in Rouen , only to rejoin his unit a few weeks later.

In late October Hardy was sick again, returning to the UK where he went to the Education School before falling ill yet again, suffering from the effects of Trench Fever and War Gas.

Hardy left England bound for Australia suffering heart problems on the transport ship Karoola on the 6 th of May 1919 , being discharged medically unfit in August 1919.

Edward Thomas Hardy passed away in January 1920 at the Australian General Hospital suffering endocarditis, an after effect of his war service. He had no family in Australia and is buried at the Brighton Cemetery in Melbourne .

Research notes:

1) Edward listed his next of kin as his father, JT Hardy of 1 Tidal Basin Rd , Victoria Docks, London .

Photos:

1) & 2) Edward's grave at Brighton cemetery, photo by Travis Sellers.