Ernest George Hardiman

Story:
Ernest George Hardiman was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 30th April 1890 and baptised at St. James' Church on 25th May 1890 the son of Charles Hardiman and Martha Ann Hardiman (née Brockway).  (His father had been arrested for vagrancy and desertion on a number of times and served prison sentences.  He had also denied paternity of the children of the marriage. His name does not appear on any other family records.) Ernest lived his early life with the family at 37 Andrews Yard, St. James Street, Shaftesbury.  By 1911 he had moved for work as a chauffeur to Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire, where he enlisted on 11th October 1914, joining the Army Service Corps as a Driver (Service No. T1/025721).  He had envisaged driving motor vehicles but was told there were only openings for horse transport.  This resulted in him being discharged on 19th November 1914.  He went on to re-enlist and joined the Royal Engineers as a Driver (Service No. 32516).  He served in France and Flanders being eventually discharged on 21st January 1920 and being awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.   He married Ethel Jane Brigden in Pancras, London, in 1929 and they went on to have three children.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 18 Cromwell Road, Wimbledon, Surrey, and was still working as a Chauffeur.  His death was recorded in Surrey in 1972.  His brother, Decimus Hardiman, also served but was killed in action.