| Surname: | Cardy |
| Initials: | H A |
| Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Army Number: | 6001362 |
| Notes: | CMP. He was born in Suffolk and resided in Essex and formerly served in the Essex Regiment. Casualty List 1340/11, Home, Died, 25/12/1944. 7/9/49 He was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Defence Medal, War Medal. Address:- Mrs A Cardy, 56 Springfield, Dark Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex. Inscription on gravestone: In loving memory of my dear husband Harry, in the midst of life we are in death. Harry Alfred Cardy. Extract from the Chelmsford Chronicle - Friday 7 January 1944. CORPORAL WORRIED SHOOTS HIMSELF. Death by gunshot wounds self-inflicted while the balance of his mind was disturbed was returned at an inquest at Saffron Walden on Lance-~Corporal Harry Alfred Cardy, aged 40, married, of Springfield park Avenue, Chelmsford, who was found in a camp hut on Christmas morning shot through the head. Cpl Henry William Simms in charge of the deceased's detachment stated that he left the camp on leave on December 19, and handed over his duties to Cardy, but was summoned back next day. When he arrived Cardy told him the CO had "Choked him off about the unsatisfactory state of the camp." This has something to do with a Sten gun, appeared to have preyed on Cardy's mind. The Coroner ( Dr J F Macdonald), returning the verdict, expressed sympathy with the family. Police Inspector Perry associated himself withy this expression. Saffron Waldon Weekly News - Friday 31 December 1943. CHRISTMAS CAMP TRADGEDY. Soldier Shoots Himself in Hut. Inquest at Walden. A Militry Policeman, who shot himself in his sleeping hut an an Essex camp in the early hours of Christmas morning, occasioned an inquest, conducted by the Essex County Coroner (Dr. J F Macdonald) on Tuesday morning at Walden. The military policeman was Lance Corporal Harry Alfred Cardy, age 46 of Springfield Park Avenue, Chelmsford. Thomas Yardley, of 7 West Avenue, Chelmsford, brother in law of deceased stated that on the outbreak of war, Cardy, as a reservist, was called up. His health appeared to be3 good when witness last saw him at Chelmsford about three weeks ago. He was quiet, but witness had never seen him depressed, and he was not aware of any nervous history in the family. Dr., Evelya Terry, of Newport, stated that among the deceased's injuries were multiple fractures of the skull and lacerations to the brain, consistent with gun shots having been fired as near as one foot from the head. LAY SHOT ON FLOOR. PC Briggs, of Elmdon, gave evidence of having visited a camp in Essex on Christmas morning, where he found Cardy lying dead on the floor of a hut beside his bed in his shirt and pants, and with a service rifle lying under his right side. The muzzle of the rifle was pointing upwards and there were and there was an empty cartridge in the breech. Witnesses searched the hut and the deceased kit, but found no letters. Two soldiers sleeping nearby stated that they heard not shot or shots fired in the night. From the position of the body witness concluded that deceased must have been sitting on the side of the bed when the rifle was discharged. The body was conveyed to Walden Hospital on a Service transport. Corpl. Henry William Simms, in charge of the det5achment, stated that he left the camp on leave on Sunday, December 19th and handed over his duties to Cardy, but he was summoned back the following day. PREYED ON HIS MIND. When he arrived back at camp on Tuesday, December 21st, witness found the Commanding Officer and sergeant major there and Cardy told him the CO had choked him off " about the unsatisfactory state of the camp. This and something to do with a Sten gun appeared to have preyed on Cardy's mind, and he told witness he did not feel capable of taking over the duties f NCO of the camp. Witness resumed duty as NCO of the camp, and Cardy carried on with his normal duties, although he appeared nervous and shaking all the time. Several times witness told him not to worry, but he said he could not help it. Cardy had never given him the slightest idea that he was going to do what he did. On Friday evening witness took deceased into Elmdon for a couple of hours, and on returning deceased turned in between 11 and 11.30. When witness visited the hut about midnight Cardy was asleep in bed and the other soldiers in the hut some were in bed and some were getting ready to go on duty. The men's rifles were placed on a rack at the head of their beds. and each man kept his own rounds of ammunition. About 6.40 on Christmas morning Pte Howie came and told him that Cardy had shot himself. he went to the hut and found Cardy as described by the constable and with five rounds of ammunition missing from his bandolier. NEARBY SLEEPERS UNDISTURBED. Pte. Alexander Howie said he found Cardy lying shot dead on the floor by his bedside about 6.29 on Christmas morning. Two men were asleep in the hut at the time. Corpl. Simms was recalled , and on replying to the Coroner, said it was possible that the two soldiers sleeping near deceased might not have heard the shot, owing to the sharp, sudden crack of the rifle. Inspector Perry said the two soldiers in question had bee see and stated they had not been disturbed by the firing of the shot. The Coroner returned a verdict that Cardy died as the result of gunshot woulds, self inflicted, white he balance of his mind was disturbed. He expressed sympathy with the family. Inspector Perry, Walden Associated himself with this expression. Extract from the Essex Newsman - Friday 22 December 1944. CARDY - In loving memory of my dear husband, L/Cpl Harry Cardy, CMP. VP. 25th December 1944. "Time changes many things. But one thing changes never. The memories of those happy days. When we were all together." - Always in our thoughts at 56 Springfield Park Avenue, Chelmsford. C111 |
Casualty Record: | |
| Date of Death: | Dec. 25, 1943 |
| Company: | UNKNOWN |
| CWGC Link: | 2427397 |
| Cemetery: | SOUTHMINSTER (ST LEONARDS) CHURCHYARD, UNITED KINGDOM 🇬🇧 |
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