Bridge of Weir
Memorial

LT H B HARDMAN 7^TH C.HRS.

Lieutenant Hudson Beaufort Hardman

3rd Battalion, attached 7th
Cameron Highlanders

killed in action 17th August 1916

aged 21


Thiepval Memorial
St Machar's Church Memorial, Bridge of Weir



Broomward, Bridge of Weir
Son of Meredith Hardman and Ella Webber
China Inland Mission

His Life

Perhaps unsurprisingly given that his parents were missionaries in China, finding evidence of Hudson Beaufort Hardman's life before the war has been challenging. Hudson's father, Meredith Hardman was a son of Townley Blackwood Hardman, JP and Anne Mayne of Dublin. Meredith was the business manager of the China Inland Mission in Shanghai from 1889. He married Ella Webber in Chungking, China on 2nd March 1892. Ella had been with the Mission in China since 1887. It appears that after their marriage the couple returned to England for the birth of two children.

Hudson Beaufort Hardman was born in Chorlton in Lancashire in 1894. He was probably named after Rev. J Hudson Taylor who founded the China Inland Mission in 1865, and Meredith's older brother Beaufort. Meredith and Ella with two children returned to Shanghai in 1898.

Hudson Hardman (18) is recorded as arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 16 August 1913 after sailing on the Celtic from Liverpool and was recorded as single, with Great Britain, Irish ethnicity. His last place of residence was Bridge of Weir, Scotland.

Hudson Beaufort Hardman returned to Scotland and when he enlisted in September 1914 into Lochiel's Camerons, he was living in Broomward, Bridge of Weir. He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant on 17th April 1915 and posted to 3rd Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. He was transferred to 7th Camerons on 28th September 1915 and first joined the theatre of war in France on the following day. 7th Camerons came under orders of 44th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 16th December 1915 then Assistant Adjutant on 21st March 1916. The Division fought in the Battle of the Somme in 1916 notably involved in the battle to take the French village of Pozieres.

He was killed when the 7th Battalion attacked the switch line which formed part of the German system of trenches in front of Contalmaison. Ironically, as Acting Adjutant, he had signed the Operation Order for the action in which he lost his life. His name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, alongside 72,000 others who died in the Somme sector and have no known grave.

His father Meredith's UK address in 1922 was Newington Green, London N16. Mrs Hardman died in Toronto in 1924.

Siblings

Sources

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• Scottish National War Memorial
• China's Millions. J Hudson Taylor (ed). North American edition:
  o 1892: P 84. Marriage of M Hardman and Miss Webber, Chungking.
  o 1898, July: Upon July 1st there arrived from England Mr. And Mrs. J.N. Hayward and two children, and Mr. And Mrs. M. Hardman and two children.
  o 1898: September 1898: After two months of fellowship and service with us, our dear friends, Mr. And Mrs. J.N. Hayward, and Mr. And Mrs. M. Hardman, who, with their children, had come to us from England, went on their way toward China, leaving Toronto upon August 15th, and Tacoma upon August 21st. The days of their sojourn here were indeed full of refreshment to us, and we were sorry to see our friends go forth from us. We are glad to add that we have received word that the steamer Victoria, upon which our friends sailed, arrived at Yokohama upon the 7th, and we trust that the party is now safely in China.
  o 1898: December: Items from Shanghai: Arrivals: On September 14th. ... Mr. And Mrs. M. Hardman and two children from London.
  o 1903: Province of Kiang-su: Shanghai: M. Hardman 1889; Mrs. M. Hardman (nee Webber) 1887.
  
• Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette
  o 19th September 1914: ROLL OF HONOUR: Lochiel's Camerons: H. Beaufort Herdiman [sic], Broomward.
• Divisional History: The Fifteenth (Scottish) Division 1914-1919. J. Stewart and John Buchan. 1926.
  • On the 17th another attack was made by three companies of the 7th Camerons, Lieut.-Colonel Marsh, 44th Brigade. Leaving Highland Trench at 8.55 A.M., accompanied by the usual barrage, they easily entered the enemy's trenches. A number of Germans surrendered at once, and the work of consolidation was promptly begun. It had been intended to construct five strong-points in front of the line when captured, but work was stopped on account of heavy casualties amongst the working-parties caused by the enemy's artillery fire.
    An hour later the Germans started a bombing attack against the Switch Elbow on the right. This was at first successful, and the enemy retook the Elbow. Their farther advance, however, was stopped by the energetic action of Captain McCrae, 7th Camerons, who, with 2nd Lieutenant Orr of that regiment, at once organised a vigorous counter-attack, and formed a block in the trench just east of the Elbow. When this attack was made, the Camerons had run out of bombs, and endeavoured to defend the captured trench with the only weapon at their disposal, the picks and shovels which they were using to consolidate it, and which, as a last resort, they threw at the advancing Germans. Luckily two platoons of the 9th Gordons were on the spot carrying trench-boards. With their assistance and that of some men of the H.L.I., a chain was formed, and bombs passed up to the new front line. An hour later Captain McCrae managed to get up a Stokes' mortar, but unfortunately both the gun and its team were knocked out by artillery fire before they could do much.
    Gallantly and well did the Camerons hold on to their gains, and their efforts were not unavailing. At 2 P.M. a company of the 8th Seaforths, 44th Brigade, arrived on the scene, and with it and his own battalion, Colonel Marsh proceeded to organise a further attack on the Switch Elbow. Launched about 4 o'clock, this was completely successful, the Elbow being retaken and consolidated with very little trouble. In this work a company of the 9th Black Watch, under Captain Binnie, did most excellent work in conjunction with the Seaforths and Camerons.
• War Diaries: 7th Cameron Highlanders. WO 95/1941/1 National Archives.
  • 16 August 1916: B Area, The Cutting: Replaced 9th Black Watch in B Area - Brigade Support.Disposition: Headquarters in the Cutting; C Coy (less 1 platoon) & D Coy in Gourlay Trench. C Coy on the right, D Coy on the left; 1 Platoon C Coy & 1 Lewis Gun in Villa Keep; A Coy in Contalmaison; B Coy in Cutting Contalmaison X.17.a. Draft of 50 O.R. taken on the strength. Casualties nil. Orders received from the Brigade to attack next morning.
  • 17 August 1916: A Area (Front Line): Moved up to the attack. For details on operation orders and report in Appendix. Disposition: Headquarters in Gourlay Trench; 7/8th K.O.S.B. on the right; 9th Black Watch on the left and in front line; 8th Seaforths in support; Relieved by 8th Seaforths during the night and early morning A & B Coys in Contalmaison.; C & D Coys in X.22.b (C Area).
    Casualties: Officers killed. Lieut H.B. Hardman, 2/Lieut H.B. Goudie M.C., 2/Lieut J.W. Anderson, 2/Lieut G.C. Macleay.
    Officers died of wounds: Lieut F.B. Cameron
    Officers wounded: Capt H.B. Johnstone, Capt A. Ogilvy, Lieut M. Murchison, 2/Lieut S.A. Luen, 2/Lieut C.W.D. Mackay, 2/Lieut C.R.G. Scott, 2/Lieut R.B. Purdon, 2/Lieut W. Mill, 2/Lieut D. Moir.
    Casualties continued: Other Ranks: Killed A Coy 13, B Coy 13, C Coy 10, D Coy 4: Total 40.
    Died of Wounds: A - 1, B - 3, C - nil, D - nil: Total 4:
    Missing believed killed: A Coy - 4, B Coy - 2, C Coy - 2, D Coy - 1: Total 9.
    Missing: A Coy - 2, B Coy - 2, C Coy - 2, D Coy - 1: Total 7:
    Missing believed wounded: A Coy 7:
    Wounded: A Coy - 38, B Coy - 43, C Coy - 49, D Coy - 30: Total 160:
• APPENDIX: Operation Orders No. 2 by Lieut Colonel C.H. Marsh D.S.O. Commanding 7th (S) Batt Cameron Highrs: Wednesday 16th August 1916.
  • Reference 15th Division. Map No 3 a/14/8/16. 1/5000.
    1. The 7th Camerons Hrs will assualt [sic] the German Trench line between the points S.1.d.4.d and X.6.a.7.3 on the 17th inst.
    2. A, B & C Coy will form first and second line. D Coy will be in reserve.....
    13. Reports will be forwarded to Battalion Headquarters, position of which will be notified later.
    14. Dress. Fighting Order. Sufficient food and water for 24 hours will be carried.
    (Sgd) H.B.HARDMAN Lieut & A/Adjt 7th (S) Bn. Cameron Highlanders.
• Report to the Brig^r. General Commanding the 44^th. Infantry Brigade by the Officer Commanding the 7th Cameron Highlanders on the attack by the Batt^n. on the SWITCH LINE of German Trenches.
  • 1. Assaulting parties left HIGHLAND TRENCH at 8.55 am on the 17th August at the same time as the Artillery Barrage open. The German line was easily entered. As our men reached the German line a lot of Germans came forward holding up their hands. These were either killed or taken prisoner. The clearing up parties started work, a few men went out as a covering party. Digging was carried on till about 10.15 am. By this time the Germans started a bombing attack from the right. As there was [sic] no officers in the German trench most having been either killed or wounded, the men began to give ground. Captain Macrae who was on the right and was with the digging party seeing this came back with Lieut Orr and organised a bombing attack on the right and formed a block. Lieut Black was out digging No. 2 Strong Point getting heavily sniped by machine gun withdrew into the German line and assisted in reversing the fire steps and deepening the trench. I got word that more bombs were needed in the newly taken trench so formed "chains" to pass up bombs from the prearranged dumps. In the meantime German bombs were used in large numbers. I used two platoons of the 9th Gordon High^rs who had come up to lay trench boards in carrying bombs from Contalmaison Villa to Butterworth trench dumps. These parties were invaluable.
  • 11.45 am: About 11.45 am seeing that we were not holding the ELBOW Captain Macrae was trying to collect men to retake this point from the end of GLOSTER sap but he had a difficulty in finding sufficient men and getting sufficient bombs. The Germans had formed a block at the ELBOW so Captain Macrae got the Stokes gun to straff this point and shortly after the Stokes gun and team were put out of action by big shell fire.
  • 1 pm: At about 1 pm I with Captain Macrae started to organise the counterattack. I met Lt Anderson of the Black Watch and Trench Mortar Battery and got him to send for another gun and get up more ammunition. This took some time as the team had also been knocked out.
  • 2.15 pm: At about 2.15 I got word that a Coy of the Seaforth Highlanders had just arrived so I sent for the Coy Commander and he told me he had a weak Coy of about 80 men and they had been carrying sand-bags. So I determined to use two platoons of this Coy for the counter attack.
  • 3.50 pm: At about 3.50 pm I got word from my left that the Germans were massing on the Martinpuish - Poziere road so informed artillery forward observation officer. The German shell fire was getting pretty heavy by this time.
  • 5.50 pm: All the arrangements for the counter attack were not completed before 5.50 pm when the two platoons of Seaforth High^rs. about 50 men with a few 7th Camerons men retook the Elbow under cover of the Stokes gun fire and consolidated the position I understand with few casualties.
  • 6.15 pm: At about 6.15 pm the Germans opened a heavy on our front line wth heavy shells until about 8 pm then lifted for a bit and then started again.
  • 8 pm: My Batt^n, was relieved at about 12.30 am 18th August by the 8th Seaforth Highlanders.
    Approximate casualties: Officers killed 4; wounded 10; other ranks wounded and missing 240. I should like to bring to notice the following officers for good work. Captain Macrae, Lieut Orr, Black, Fraser, & Moir. Also Captain Binnie 9th Black Watch for assisting us in consolidating the front line when most of my officers were casualties. We took 16 prisoners all of the 179th Regiment. We also destroyed two German Machine Guns in the Switch Line.
    (Sgd) C. H. Marsh L^t Col 7th Cameron High^rs.
• Communication from The Highlanders' Museum. 12th March 2014
• Biographies of officers of The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (Vol VII) December 1921.
• The History of the 7th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. J.W. Sandilands and N. MacLeod. 1922.
  o August 17th. "A" area (front line). Attacked Switch Elbow. Relieved by 8th Seaforths during the night and early morning. Casualties: killed 4 officers; died of wounds 1; wounded 9; O.R. 40 killed; 4 died of wounds; 9 missing believed killed; missing 7; missing believed wounded 7; wounded 160.
• Medals: Victory, British War, 1915 Star.

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