Arthur's Story.
Birkenhead News 25 July 1917
Pte. ARTHUR HARDACRE.
Went Through Vimy Ridge, but Fell at Messines.
News is to hand of the death of a member of a family well-known in Birkenhead – Private Arthur Hardacre. Prior to leaving for Toronto, Canada some six years ago, he was a prominent worker in connection with the Birkenhead Protestant Association. Pte. Hardacre left Canada for overseas on October 10th, 1916, and was attached to a Q.O.R unit. He passed through the severe fighting at Vimy Ridge without a scratch, but was wounded at Messines on June 9th. Death resulted the following day. Whilst in Canada he became a member of the Salvation Army and a deeply impressive memorial service was recently conducted by them. Two other brothers – Richard and Walter – are at present serving in the Canadian Forces in France. His mother and other members of the family are resident in Toronto.
Note: QOR unit is Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.