Story:
Decimus Charles Hardiman was born in 1896 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James Church on 11 Dec 1896. He was the son of Charles Hardiman and Martha Ann Hardiman (née Brockway). (His father had been arrested a number of time accused of desertion and vagrancy and had spent time in prison.  He also had denied paternity of the children of the marriage.  His name does not appear further in the family records.) At the time of the 1911 Census Decimus was single, working as an under gardener and living at 37 St James, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Dorchester as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards (Service No. 17289). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 26th September 1916 and was buried at Guard's Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France (grave id. VI.V.10).  He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ war memorials. His name also appears on the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His mother lived at 37 St. James, Shaftesbury and died in 1937 aged 73 years.  His brother, Ernest George Hardiman, also served in the conflict but survived.  As a result of Decimus's  death, his mother was awarded a pension of 3 shillings (15p.) per week on 8 May 1917 which increased to 5 shillings (25p.) per week from 6 Nov 1918 until her death in 1937.