| Surname: | Hardie |
| Initials: | A |
| Rank: | Mister |
| Army Number: | Civilian |
| Notes: | Archibald Hardie, Crane Driver, Mersey Docks & Harbour Board. War Diary WO 166/13693 176 Ports Pro Coy CMP: Blundellsands, 5/1/43 Report to GOC in C, Western Command correspondence No. 17/102 re. gallantry of Mr. Hardie, and good work done by Mr. Jones, Dock Gateman Whyte, Constable Gibbon and No. 1667413 Pte. Thompson L., CMP (VP) in the rescue of Military Police from the Dock at Birkenhead on 19th December 1942. 25/1/43 Letters and cheques for £5. 5. 0. to Messrs, Hardie & Jones subscribed by officers and OR's for gallant conduct in effecting rescue of 9 CMP from drowning at Birkenhead on 19/12/42. 28/2/43 Mr A Hardie awarded BEM for saving Cpl. Greaves & L/Cpl Herbert from drowning at Birkenhead on 19/12/42. |
Decoration Record: |
| Decoration: | British Empire Medal (London Gazette: 35920 Page: 984 Feb. 26, 1943) |
| Citation: | In darkness, a truck, containing eight passengers and the driver, skidded and got out of control. The vehicle slipped over the side of a quay and struck the bottom of the dock, but all were able to extricate themselves and managed to reach the surface. Hardie immediately dived into the water and swam to the assistance of a man about thirty yards from the quay. He was unconscious but, with help, Hardie brought him to the quayside and he was hauled out. Another man became so exhausted while waiting to be hauled out that he too lost consciousness and again went under the water. Hardie dived and brought the man to the surface. Hardie, by his outstanding courage and utter disregard of personal safety, undoubtedly saved the lives of the two men. |
