HARDIMAN, George Higgins (1882-1952) - Events in his life

George Higgins Hardiman was one of many men working in horticulture in Wickhamford in the period from around 1900 until the 1930s. He attempted to join the Army in 1902, married in 1905 and had three children. He later owned a greengrocery shop in Broadway. There are many places where information on his life can be found and, rather than writing an article about events in his life, these are presented in date order below. His case is an example of how people can do research into relatives or people of interest in their community. His case has been studied partly because of his unusual middle name, but the explanation for this was eventually found.  A family member also supplied a number of photographs, from the 1910-1930 period, some of which are included here.

• 1871 Census:- George Higgins Hardiman’s father, James Hardiman, an agricultural labourer, was aged 16 and living with his uncle, George Higgins, in Badsey. (The present address is Vine Cottage, 8 Chapel Street, Badsey.) His uncle was a farm bailiff.
• 1879 Marriage of Parents:- James Hardiman, now a market gardener, married Elizabeth Rogers, in Badsey, on 17th August 1879.
• 1881 Census:- At the 1881 census his parents had two children, Myra Rogers, aged 6 (an illegitimate daughter of Elizabeth) and Emma Hardiman, aged 9 months.
• 1882 Birth:- George Higgins Hardiman was born on March 31st 1882 in Badsey. 
• 1882 Baptism: - He was Baptised at Badsey on 25th June 1882, and given the Christian names ‘George Higgins’ in honour of his father’s uncle of that name.  His parents were James and Elizabeth Hardiman.  Father’s occupation was given as labourer.
• 1890 School Record: - He started at Badsey School on 30th January 1890. 
• 1891 Census:- Held on 5th April 1891. Hardiman family were living at ‘The Green’, Badsey. Parents – James (37) a market gardener (neither an employer or employed), born in Winchcombe; Elizabeth (37) born in Badsey. Four children – George H. (9), Rose (6), Thomas (4) and Elsie (9 weeks old) – all born in Badsey. (The location is next to the present 18 Brewers Lane, in a house now demolished).
• 1892 School Record:- He last attended Badsey School on 1st January 1892.  A note in the Records stated that on leaving, he became a labourer. (He was just under 10 years of age when he left school.  Many children left aged 11 or 12, but this was particularly young.)
• 1899 Army Service:- He enlisted in the 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regt., aged 17 years and 9 months (Service No. 5618), on 22nd November 1899. He was a gardener working for George Bell of Badsey and he was paid £1 upon enlistment.  No further details of his length or place of service are on his surviving record sheet, but he signed up for six years’ service.  (He must have proved an unsatisfactory recruit and discharged, as he was back living in Badsey in 1900.)
• 1900 Newspaper Report:- A case was heard in Evesham on 26th September 1900, concerning an assault on a young girl in Bretforton. Two men were accused of the attack on the 16-year-old, George Crane and George Hardiman.  After hearing the evidence, the Bench retired and the Chairman said they were divided in their opinion, so no order was made against the men. The girl had apparently been misbehaving with the two men at a club in Bretforton before the assault occurred, on her way home. The report of the case appeared in the Worcester Journal.
• 1901 Census:- Held on 31st March 1901. Living at ‘The Poplars’ High Street, Badsey, he was a boarder with the Bell family, aged 19, and working as a market gardener’s labourer. (The site of the house is now 22 and 22A High Street.)
• 1902 Army Service:- He joined the Empress of India’s 21st Lancers, in Dublin, on 22nd October 1902, aged 19 years, 6 months (Service No. 6193). He was recorded as living in Badsey, and worked as a labourer. On his application form he lied in stating that he had never served in the Army before. His Army recruitment papers, give his description as being 5ft 7¼ in tall, of fresh complexion with hazel eyes and brown hair. He weighed 135 lb. In the next-of-kin section of his form, he listed James Hardiman (father), Bessey Hardiman (mother), William Hardiman (brother) and Rose Hardiman (sister) all of Badsey, near Evesham.   He was discharged, under paragraph 1805 of King’s Regulations on 24th December 1902, having served only 58 days. This meant that he was unlikely to become an efficient soldier.  His Army form states that ‘he will be send home with all convenient speed for transfer to the reserve’.
• 1904 Newspaper Report:- The Gloucester Journal of 16th January 1904 reported on an Inquest into the death of a woman in Aldington Brook. Hardiman gave information that he found a lady’s fur boa tied to a stile near the brook on Wednesday night.  The brook was dragged and a woman’s body found. The Coroner commented that he found it strange that he had not reported the finding of the boa until the following Friday.
• 1905 Marriage:- He married Emily Jane Heritage, daughter of Harry Heritage, at Badsey on 1st March 1905.  The bride was only aged 17, and had been born on 12th December 1887.
• 1906 Baptism:- His daughter, Doris May (b. 19th July), was baptised in Badsey on 9th September 1906.

• 1907 School:- When the Director of Education visited Badsey School in December 1907, he was concerned about the cleanliness of the school and he felt that the job of Caretaker was too much for one person – Mrs. Wilson. Accordingly, George Hardiman was offered the job of window-cleaner.
• 1911 Census:- Held on 2nd April 1911. He was living at 1 Manor Cottages, Wickhamford Lane, Wickhamford.  Occupation – labourer on a fruit farm.  The Census form was completed by his wife, Emily Jane (born Evesham). One child in the family was, Doris May, aged 4, born in Badsey.)  At this Census, his sister, Rose Hardiman, was working as a nurse-housemaid at the home of Stanley Moss-Blundell, Carrig, Longdon Hill.)
• 1911 School:- His daughter, Doris May, entered Badsey Infants School on 20th July 1911.
• 1911 Drunken Brawl:-  The Standard reported on a case at Evesham County Petty Session concerning events on 16th September 1911, in lenghty report headed “Drunken Brawl at Wickhamford”. A number of local men were involved including Charles Carr, Jesse Wheatley, George Brotherton and George Hardiman. There was conflicting evidence from the participants and witnesses so the case was dismissed.
• 1912 Baptism:- His daughter, Enid Flora Mary (b. 8th July), was baptised in Badsey on 12th August 1912.
• 1913 School:- His daughter, Doris May, moved from Badsey Infants to Badsey Mixed School on 1st August 1913.
• 1915 Land Valuation Survey:- He was living at 1 Manor Cottages, Wickhamford on 9th January 1915, in a property built six years previously and owned by George Lees-Milne. Paying an annual rent of £11 14s. the semi-detached house had 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, sitting room, scullery in lean-to and water supplied by Broadway water supply.
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• 1915 Baptism and Burial :- His son, Ronald George, was baptised in Wickhamford on 12th March 1915; he had been born on 31st December 1915. He lived only 2 months and was buried in Wickhamford on 20th March 1915.
• 1915 Burial:- His father, Walter James Hardiman was buried in Badsey on 24th September 1915.
• 1916 Military Tribunal:- Hearing took place on 18th April 1916. He was described as managing foreman of over 60 acres of land for Mr. G. C. Lees-Milne of Wickhamford, who attended to support the application for exemption from military service. A temporary exemption was granted only until 1st October 1916, but no record has been found of his enlisting after this date.
• 1916 School:- His daughter, Enid Flora Mary, entered Badsey Infant School on 30th October 1916. 
• 1919 Electoral Roll:- He and wife, Emily Jane, were both on Wickhamford Electoral Roll in Spring 1919, living at 1 Manor Cottages.
• 1919 School:- His daughter, Enid Flora Mary, moved from Badsey Infants to Badsey Mixed School on 1st July 1919.
• 1920 Holiday:- He went on a seaside holiday with his wife and daughter.

• 1921 School:- His daughter, Doris May, left Badsey Mixed School.
• 1921 Census:-  Held on 19th June 1921. He was still living at 1 Manor Cottages, Wickhamford (aged 38 years, 3 months), with his wife and two daughters, Doris May (14 years, 11 months), an apprentice milliner at R. Righton, High Street, Evesham, and Enid Flora Mary (8 years, 11 month) in full time education.  He was a market gardener on his own account, in Wickhamford.
• 1924 Electoral Roll:- He was living at 6 Council Cottages, Pitchers Hill, Wickhamford when this was compiled and also qualified to serve as a juror.  His wife, Emily Jane was also a voter but not qualified as a juror.  (The present address is 15 Pitchers Hill.  The Council Cottages – numbered 1 to 14 - were built from about 1912 to 1924.  At the time of this Electoral Roll, nine were occupied by ex-servicemen and their families.  Such families may have been given priority when the Council allocated the properties ?  If so, there is a possibility that George Higgins Hardiman did do some military service during 1916-1918, but his records did not survive.)
• 1924 School:- The photograph below shows the Standard V Class which includes Enid Hardiman in the middle row, sixth from the left.

• 1925 Move from Wickhamford:- Badsey Council School records show his daughter, Enid, left Badsey Mixed School and the village on 8th April 1925.
• 1925 Electoral Roll:- He is on the 1925/1926 Electoral Roll for Wickhamford, as a land owner, but was living in Burford Road, Evesham. 
• 1925 Accident:- The Evesham Standard reported on an accident on Fish Hill, Broadway, on 7th November 1925.  George Hardiman of 19 Burford Road, Evesham was found there in a collapsed state, with his bicycle close by his side. He was cycling down the hill when he either fell off or was knocked off. He was attended by Dr Alexander and found to have a dislocated left shoulder, slight fracture and a cut over his left eye. He was semi-conscious and could not account for his accident, which occurred at about 5.15 p.m.  He was taken home.

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  1932 Daughter’s Marriage:- Doris May Hardiman married Horace Burns, at All Saints Church, Evesham on 16th July 1932. She had worked for the past four years in the millinery and gown department of Messrs Strawsons.  She was escorted into the Church by her uncle, William Hardiman, according to a report of the Wedding in The Standard. 
• 1934 Birth of Grandchild:- Ann Burns was born in mid-1934.
• 1935 Electoral Roll:- He is on the 1935/1936 Electoral Roll for Wickhamford, as a land owner, but living in Burford Road, Evesham. 
• 1935 Electoral Roll:- He is on the 1935/1936 Broadway Electoral Roll, as owning a shop, but living at 65 Northwick Road, Evesham. (The family moved house between the dates that the two Electoral Roll were compiled.)
• 1938 Daughter’s Marriage:- Enid Flora Mary Hardiman married Edward J. Perrett in the Evesham District in the third quarter of 1938.
• 1939:- Birth of Grandchild:- Anthony Burns was born in mid-1939.
• 1939 Register:- Recorded on 29th September 1939, he was living at 65 Northwick Road, Evesham with his wife and three other people including his married daughter Doris May Burns. His occupation was given as ‘General Stores’. (The details of the two other occupants of the house are not yet disclosed.  Doris and Horace Burns had two children, both born in Birmingham, Anne in 1934 and Anthony in 1939. These were probably living with their grandparents at this time.)  His mother, Elizabeth Hardiman was living ‘near the Vicarage’ in Badsey (the address is now 48 High Street).  She had been born on 16th September 1853, according to the Register.
• 1939 Electoral Roll:- He is recorded on 16th October 1939 on the Broadway Electoral Roll as a shop owner, but living at 65 Northwick Road, Evesham.
• 1940 Death of Mother:- His mother, Elizabeth Hardiman’s death was registered in the March Quarter of 1940, aged 86, in the Evesham District. 
• 1940 Directory:- He is listed in the 1940 Edition of Kelly’s Directory for Worcestershire, with premises in High Street, Broadway, as a Fruiterer.
• 1944 Birth of Grandchild:- Sandra Jane Perrett was born on 2nd May 1944 at Avonside Hospital, Evesham.
• 1952 Death:- A report in the Evesham Standard of 12th September 1952, stated that he died, aged 70, on Saturday, 6th September, at Evesham Hospital, having not enjoyed good health for a number of months.  He had been associated with the horticulture industry practically all his working life.  He opened his own fruit and greengrocery business in Broadway, which he operated for nearly 20 years. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.  (He lived at ‘66’ Northwick Road, Evesham, according to the report, but this should have been ‘65’.)
• 1952 Funeral and Burial:- His funeral took place at St Peter’s Church, Bengeworth on Wednesday 10th September 1952.  The newspaper reported that - Family mourners included Mr. and Mrs. H. Burns and Pol-Sgt and Mrs. E. Perrett (sons-in-law and daughters), Mr. W. Hardiman (brother), Mrs. E. Ballard (sister), Mrs. E. Lane and Mrs. D. Jelfs (sisters-in-law).  Mrs. E. Hardiman (widow) and Mrs. E. Petthard (sister) were unable to attend. He was buried in Bengeworth Cemetery, Evesham in plot L25.
• 1964 Death of Wife:- Emily Jane Harriman died, on 8th August 1964, in Evesham Hospital.  At the time of her death, she was living at 20 Charles Close, Evesham. She was buried in the same grave as her husband.

Unanswered Questions

The reason for George Higgins Hardiman not having a successful Army career in 1899 or 1902 is unknown.  It is also possible that he did some Army service after his application for military exemption was only granted until October 1916.  He may have joined a unit such as the Labour Corps, but, to date, no record has been found of any Great War service. 

His allocation of one of the Council Cottages in Wickhamford after the War seems a little out of place, as most were granted to ex-servicemen.  This might suggest that did some military service. If a family member has a British War Medal or Victory Medal with his name and service number on it, that would answer this question.

Later in life, from the early 1930s until his death in 1952, he ran a fruit and greengrocery shop in Broadway.  This has not been located exactly, but was probably situated in the main High Street, near The Green.  

Sources of Information

The details of censuses, newspaper archives and military records are available on findmypast. The electoral roll information is on ancestry.co.uk. The school records are available on the Badsey Society website and were obtained from Worcester Record Office. Other details were supplied by members of the Hardiman family.

Tom Locke and Valerie Harman – August 2024

Acknowledgements

• The photograph of the Badsey School class is from Heads and Tales – A History of Badsey Schools by Maureen Spinks. Other photographs were supplied by Sarah Burton and Peter Stewart.
• The Broadway History Society website has an article on Business Life in the Village by Maurice Andrew (1979) which includes a paragraph on ‘Businesses from 1940 onwards’.  This mentions fruiterer George Hardiman as having his shop on or near The Green, Broadway.