John (Jack) Hardie was born on 14th February 1890. In 1901, the Hardie family were living at “Fernlea”, Wilson Street, Craigie, Perth. Father, John King Morrison Hardie, b.1858; Mother, Agnes Melvin Hardie, b.1869; Son, John, b.1890; Son, Alexander S., b.1892; and Daughter, Melva, b.1897.
Jack’s father, who was born in Selkirk, but moved to Crieff with his parents when he was still young, was a perfumer and hairdresser. He originally had a business in Crieff but then moved to Perth and had a businesses at 39, George Street, and also at High Street, Perth. He also had a business in Dundee. Jack's father, was also politically active and helped form an Association of Hairdressers in the early 1890’s. He also served on the Perth Town Council, and was a Baillie and Justice of the Peace. In 1911 Jack Hardie was listed as a Surveyor for the Town Council of Perth.
He enlisted with the Royal Engineers in November 1915 at the Fenny Stratford Signal Depot near Milton Keynes.
Jack's younger sister Melva married William Barclay in Burntisland, Fifeshire, in July 1923, and they lived at “Greenbrae”, 44 Pettycur Road, Kinghorn, Fifeshire. Jack’s father died in March 1920 and it is very likely that his mother then moved to Kinghorn to live with her daughter. This is where the correspondence regarding Jack’s final resting place, and the recovery of his effects, was addressed.
Perthshire Advertiser, 21st October 1916
“OUR OWN MEN - Corporal Jack Hardie Killed"
“The sad news has been received by ex-Baillie J. K. M. Hardie and Mrs Hardie, Wilson Street, Craigie, that their son, Corporal Jack Hardie, has been killed. Deceased served as apprentice, and was for some time assistant in the Burgh Surveyor’s Office, Perth, subsequently receiving an appointment in the Land Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue. He was 26 years of age, and was a motor despatch rider in the R.E. Signal Section.”
Jack Hardie died as the result of a collision between his motor-cycle and an ambulance car. At the time of his death, he was 26 years of age.
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