Theodore Bayley Hardy
| Theodore Bayley Hardy | |
|---|---|
Chaplain Theodore Hardy c.1918
|
|
| Born |
20 October 1863 Exeter, England |
| Died | 18 October 1918 (aged 54) Rouen, France |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1916–1918 |
| Rank | Chaplain |
| Unit | Army Chaplains' Department |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order Military Cross Mentioned in Despatches |
Theodore Bayley Hardy, VC, DSO, MC (20 October 1863 – 18 October 1918) was a British Army chaplain and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. In addition to the VC, Hardy had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross, making him one of the most decorated non-combatants of the First World War.
Hardy was born 20 October 1863 to George and Sarah Richards Hardy of Exeter. Hardy was educated at the Royal Commercial Travellers School, Pinner, Middlesex from 1872–1879, City of London School from 1879–1882 and at the University of London. He was ordained in 1898. He was an Assistant Master at Nottingham High School from 1891–1907, at which one of the Junior School's houses is named in his honour. He was married to Florence Elizabeth Hastings, who died in 1914.
Hardy was aged 51 when war broke out, and was priest at Hutton Roof in the Lake District. He volunteered at once but was turned down as being too old. Eventually, in August 1916, he was accepted for army service as a Temporary Chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class and attached to 8th Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment. He carried out the following deeds for which he was awarded a series of decorations. First he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 18 October 1917, the full citation was published on 7 March 1918:
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