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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 306

A Second World War C.B.E. group of six awarded to Air Commodore S. H. Hardy, Royal Air Force,

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military Division) Commander's neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Southern Desert, Iraq (F/O. S. H. Hardy. R.A.F.); 1939-1945 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45 with M.I.D. oak leaf, good very fine (6)

C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1944.

M.I.D. London Gazette 17 March 1941.

Stephen Haistwell Hardy was born at St. Anne's Park, Bristol on 29 January 1905, was the son of Charles and Edith Hardy of Ruscombe, Twyford, Berkshire. Educated at Malvern College he entered Carnwell on 1 February 1923 and was commissioned Pilot Officer on 17 December 1924. Posted to No.100 (Bomber) Squadron based in the U.K. he was promoted Flying Officer with them on 17 June 1926.

Joining No. 84 Squadron in Iraq from September 1926 he served there on a combination of Flying and Adjutant's duties until June 1929. Attached to the Engineering Section of the Headquarters, Inland Area from 5 August 1932. Hardy was then posted as a Pilot/Flight Commander with No.503 (County of Lincoln) Squadron and thence to No.216 Squadron on 29 September 1934 at Heliopolis, Middle East. On his return to Britain he attended the R.A.F. Staff College and became Engineering Staff Officer at Heaquarters, Fighter Command on 2 February 1937.

Becoming Supernumerary with Headquarters No.6 (Auxiliary) Group on 24 October 1938 he returned to his previous role on 9 March 1939. Promoted to Wing Commander on 1 March 1940, Hardy joined the Staff with the Directorate of Fighter Operations on 5 March 1940. Later that year he became Officer Commanding R.A.F. Coltishall and Group Captain in December 1941, with Operations of Headquarters No.12 Group.

Promoted Group Captain on 1 March 1942 Hardy became Officer Commanding R.A.F. Middle Wallop in 1943. Appointed Commandant of the Officer's Advanced Training School, Cranwell, on 14 February 1944 he was finally promoted Air Commodore on 14 August 1944, serving as Aide-de Camp to H.M. The King between 1944-45.

Hardy died on 8 April 1945 at Rauceby Hospital, Quarrington, Lincolnshire, as a result of Heart Failure and is buried at Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol; sold together with a large archive comprising:

(i)
Box for the C.B.E.

(ii)
Assorted correspondence to include confirmation of his WW2 campaign medals.

(iii)
Various copied photographs of him in uniform and at his wedding where he is wearing his General Service Medal.

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Sold for
£1,600

Starting price
£1200