HARDY, F/O George Ernest Arthur (C25250) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.198 Squadron (with No.609 Squadron as of award) - Award effective 8 December 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 293/45 dated 16 February 1945. Born 19 June 1919 in Calgary; home there. Accountant prior to enlistment. Enlisted in Calgary, 5 September 1940. To No.2 ITS, 14 October 1940. Promoted LAC, 2 November 1940; to No.6 EFTS, 3 November 1940; to No.4 SFTS, 22 December 1940. To No.1 Manning Depot, 22 March 1941, but graded as pilot and promoted Sergeant, 20 April 1941. To No.1 ANS, 22 May 1941. To No.8 BGS, apparently as staff pilot, date unclear. Promoted Flight Sergeant, date unclear. Promoted WO2, 20 April 1942. Commissioned 3 December 1942. To No.1 OTU, 9 December 1942. To “Y” Depot, 17 February 1943; to RAF overseas, 3 May 1943. Repatriated July 1945. Released 14 September 1945. Rejoined RCAF, 24 September 1948 (120735). Still in force as of 1952. Died in Calgary, 2000. // Flying Officer Hardy has taken part in a large number of sorties, many of them in close support of the ground forces. During these operations much loss has been inflicted on the enemy. By his well executed and determined attacks, Flying Officer Hardy has played a worthy part in the success achieved. // RCAF Press Release No. 7929 dated 20 December 1944 from “Field”, RAF, read: // WITH CANADIANS IN THE RAF IN HOLLAND: -- A 25-year-old Canadian Flight Lieutenant George E.A. Hardy of Calgary, (2450-20th Avenue) who was a bank cashier in Calgary, has been awarded the D.F.C., for his “well executed and determined attacks” with a Holland based rocket-firing Typhoon wing of RAF 2nd. TAF. // He was recently made a Flight Commander in a famous West Riding squadron, and has flown in many sorties in close support of our troops on the ground. // “During these operations,” says the official citation. “Much has been inflicted on the enemy, by his well-executed and determined attacks. Flight Lieutenant Hardy has played a worthy part in the success achieved.” // Flight Lieutenant Hardy was educated at King Edward Public School, and Central Collegiate in Calgary. A keen sportsman, he played rugby and won prizes for swimming. He joined the RCAF in September 1940 and trained as a pilot in Vancouver and Saskatoon, and served as a staff pilot in Rivers, Manitoba. // He came to Britain in the spring of 1943 and flew with two Typhoon squadrons before joining the West Riding on September 16th of this year. // Hardy has shot up tanks, gun positions, and enemy strong points, and is proud of the one Me,110 he has to his credit. He was mentioned in despatches in Rivers when he saved himself and his Anson aircraft by making a crash landing at night. // Popular with his wing, from the C.O. to the riggers and armourers, he is “Judge” Hardy to everyone. “Nothing to do with Andy’s father of film fame,” says Hardy, “My elder brother, now a petty officer with the Canadian Navy, nicknamed me “Judge” when I was kid – short for George, I guess.”