Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

Signals Platoon, HQ Company, 1st Battalion Border Regiment, 1st Airlanding Brigade, 1st Airborne Division, British Army

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1944

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

Citation:
"On 18th September 1944 at ARNHEM, Lieutenant HARDY, as signal officer, was ordered to lay cable from Battalion H.Q. to B Company which was an isolated detachment two miles from the remainder of the Battalion. Shortly after arrival in this Company area the enemy attacked in considerable strength and the Company was surrounded. Lieutenant HARDY immediately assumed duties as Second in Command of the Company, and under intense mortar and machine-gun fire he toured the Company area encouraging the men to greater efforts. When orders eventually reached the Company to break out and rejoin the Battalion, Lieutenant HARDY personally led the first troops, and though still under intense fire he succeeded in breaking out and was largely responsible for the successful withdrawal of B Company back to the main Battalion position. Had this withdrawal not been successful the whole Battalion position would have been gravely jeopardised. Throughout the entire operation Lieutenant Hardy's vigour and contempt of danger were an inspiration and source of encouragement to all around him. "