The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

Five: 1914-15 Star Trio (140603 E. G. Hardy, C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (E. G. Hardy, P.O. 1Cl., H.M.S. Hannibal); Naval Good Shooting Medal, E.VII.R. (140603 E. Hardy, P.O. 1Cl., H.M.S. Empress of India. 1904. 13.5 In. B.L.) fitted with Second Award Bar ‘H.M.S. “Mars” 1909. 12” B.L.’, contact marks to the last two, otherwise very fine and better (5)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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Ernest Hardy was born on 18 November 1871 in Maker Lawsand, Cornwall. He was a sawyer prior to joining the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE on 29 March 1887 when aged 16 years. Advanced to Boy 1st Class 4 April 1888 he served in this rate aboard AGINCOURT (December 1888), ROYAL ADELAIDE (May 1889), VICTORIA & ALBERT (June 1889), DUKE OF WELLINGTON (September 1889), and PIGMY (September 1889). During a three year Commission in the latter vessel he was advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 18 November 1898 and to Able Seaman 1 June 1890 and served next aboard VIVID I (January 1891), CAMBRIDGE (May 1893), DEFIANCE (January 1894) and VIVID I (April 1894). He was advanced to Leading Seaman 28 May 1894 and joined LION (MAY 1894) where he was further advanced to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 16 May 1895, CAMBRIDGE (February 1897), DEFIANCE (March 1897) and CAMBRIDGE (May 1897) advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class on 17 August 1897.

He subsequently served as a Petty Officer 1st Class aboard VIVID I (September 1897), MELAMPUS (January 1898), VIVID I (February 1898), MAGDALA (March 1898), CAMBRIDGE (January 1900), DEFIANCE (September 1900), VIVID (October 1900), IMPREGNABLE (September 1901), VIVID I (April 1903), and EMPRESS OF INDIA (May 1903). Whilst in the latter vessel he was awarded the Naval Good Shooting Medal in 1904 for accuracy with the 13.5-inch Breech Loading Gun. He next joined HANNIBAL (February 1905), CAMBRIDGE (August 1905), EXCELLENT (September 1905), CAMBRIDGE (October 1905), VIVID (January 1906), TRAFALGAR (February 1906), and HIBERNIA (January 1907). In the latter vessel he was advanced to Acting Chief Petty Officer on 22 October 1907 and to Chief Petty Officer on 22 October 1908. He served next aboard VIVID (January 1909), and MARS (May 1909). Whilst aboard this ship he took part in the Annual Fleet Gunlayers Competition and was awarded a clasp to be added to his Naval Good Shooting Medal. He was next appointed to COLLINGWOOD (April 1910) and pensioned ashore on 19 April 1910 having served 20 years adult service having been awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in 1905 whilst serving aboard H.M.S. EMPRESS OF INDIA. He joined the R.F.R. at Devonport on 25 November 1911 and was mobilised aboard CAESAR on 2 August 1914, serving in this ship until he joined VIVID I on 20 January 1917 and MEDEA from 5 July 1917 until demobilised ashore on 12 February 1919.