ONE of the oldest men to serve in World War One was the Reverend Theodore Bayley Hardy, who voluntarily left Hutton Roof for the frontline. Time and time again he demonstrated immense bravery and selflessness, which far exceeded what was expected of him. As a result he became the most highly-decorated non-combatant of the war. Anna Clarke takes a look at the life of the man still remembered as a hero. 

THE Reverend Theodore Bayley Hardy was awarded the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross and the Distinguished Service Order – a rare wartime achievement.

But the Hutton Roof vicar, who was in his 50s when war broke out, was awarded all three for the courage he showed in just four years when the First World War raged across Europe.

Tragically, he died just weeks before the end of the war after coming under fire from German machine guns – but his bravery has never been forgotten, and Hardy has since been the subject of a book and a documentary released on DVD by independent film producer Charlie Shea-Simonds.

“Hardy is a fascinating subject for a documentary,” said Mr Shea-Simonds, who served as an officer in the Parachute Regiment.

“He was quite an extraordinary man and a truly inspirational figure to me as a former soldier.”

Born in Exeter in 1863, Hardy was educated at London University and became a teacher in Nottingham before being appointed to head of Bentham Grammar School in 1907.

In 1913, he moved to Hutton Roof where he served as vicar until war broke out a year later.

Although in his fifties and not in the best of health, Hardy volunteered to serve on the front line.

He took a first aid course so he could work as a stretcher bearer, but was instead posted to serve as chaplain to the 8th Battalion, the Lincolnshire Regiment.

He served with the 8th Lincolns at the battle of Passchendaele and in September 1917 was awarded the DSO for helping to rescue and administer first aid to stricken soldiers.

Within a few weeks he was decorated with the Military Cross for comforting wounded and dying soldiers while unarmed and under fire.

Six months later, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for what were described as ‘three further selfless actions of bravery’, one of which involved assisting and comforting a ‘dangerously wounded’ officer just 10 yards from an enemy gun position until help came.

Amazingly, Hardy was 54 – more than twice as old as many of the soldiers he worked alongside and saved.

The medal was personally presented by King George V while the monarch was visiting France.

The King was so impressed he appointed Hardy his personal chaplain.

Sadly on October 10, 1918 – less than five weeks before the end of the war – the Lincolns came under German machine-gun fire and Hardy was among the wounded.

He died on October 18, aged 55.

Hutton Roof postmistress Anne Huntington, touched by his story, keeps photographs of Hardy and hopes his story will continue to be told by residents of the village.

She revealed there would be special commemorations in Hutton Roof in 2018 to mark the 100th anniversary of his death.

She said: “People in the area know about him because he was the local vicar and such a wonderful and brave character.

“I’m very proud that he had this connection with the village.”

She described the documentary DVD as a tribute to a ‘great man’.