Person

Martin Hardy was born on 12 June 1884 in Darlington. His father was joiner Martin Hardy senior born in Eppleby, Yorkshire in 1849. His mother was Martha Ann Hardy nee Stockill (1854-1923), a farmer’s daughter from Brompton-by-Northallerton, Yorkshire. His parents married in 1877 and had six known children, made up of four boys and two girls. In 1891 the Hardy family lived at 60 Duke Street, Darlington. By 1901 they had moved to 17 Chestnut Street, Darlington. Martin was working as a painter.

Martin married Elizabeth Alice Gertrude Hardy nee Snailham (1882-1982) in Teesdale in 1910. She was a gardener’s daughter from Gainford and worked as a dressmaker. At the time of the 1911 census Martin and his wife were living with his father-in-law in Meavy Cottage, Gainford.

Martin joined the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) on 16 November 1916 to serve for the duration of hostilities. He was rated as an aircraftman 2nd class with the trade of labourer and given the service number F23857. He served at Crystal Palace in London. He became an aircaftman 1st class on 3 August 1917. He transferred to the Royal Air Force when it combined the RNAS and Royal Flying Corps (RFC) into a single service on 1 April 1918. His equivalent rank in the RAF was private first class and his service number became 223857.

Martin was recorded on the October 1918 absent voter’s list as away on active service but usually resident at The Green, Gainford. He returned to this area after the war and lived there until he died aged 75 in 1959. His wife lived to be one hundred years old. Martin Hardy was awarded the British War Medal for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: Gainford

Birth date: 12-Jun-1884

Death date: 1959

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: 60 Duke Street, Darlington (1891 census)
17 Chestnut Street, Darlington (1901 census)
Meavy Cottage, Gainford (1911 census)
The Green, Gainford (1918 absent voter’s list)

Employment: House painter (1901 & 1911 census)

Family: Parents: Martin Hardy (1849), Marha Hardy nee Stockill (1854-1923)
Siblings: Annie Elizabeth hardy (1879), Ethel Maude Hardy (1880), William Stockill Hardy (1882), Pat Hardy (1885), John G Hardy (1886)
Spouse: Elizabeth Alice Gertude Hardy nee Snailham (1882-1982)

Military service:

F23857
Aircraftman 2nd class
Aircraftman 1st class
Royal Naval Air Service
HMS President II (Crystal Palace)
Private 1st class
Royal Air Force, 1 April 1918

Medal(s): British War Medal

Electoral Register:

Register No: 1041
Forename: Martin
Surname: Hardy
Parliamentary Division: Barnard Castle
Polling District: L - Gainford
Parish: Gainford
Date: October-1918
Reference: October-1918

Gender: Male

Contributed by Durham County Record Office | David D, Stanley