John Hardie was born in 1892 in Balmain North, New South Wales to David and Jane Hardie. Hardie had three sisters: Mesdames Alf Richardson (England), Dave Charles (Grong Grong) and Miss Olive Hardie (Grong Grong). John Hardie was a farmer and was 24 years and 2 months when he enlisted on 2 December 1916 in Cootamundra, allotted to the 33 Battalion. Hardie embarked on 24 January 1917 from Sydney about HMAT Anchises. He disembarked at Devonport on 27 March 1917. In February 1917 Hardie was admitted to Ship’s hospital. After he was discharged on 3 March 1917 he was admitted to Devonport Military Hospital on 27 March 1917 with the measles.
On 30 July 1917, Hardie was shipped to France with the 33rd Battalion. He was wounded in action on 12 October 1917 and was admitted to Abbeville General Hospital with a gunshot wound to the left knee. Hardie was transferred to Northampton War Hospital on 26 October 1917. Was admitted to Military Hospital Sutton Veny on 12 December 1917 with Influenza and was discharged on 21 December 1917.
He re-joined unit on 5 February 1918, however, was wounded in action 3 April 1918 – gunshot wound to the left foot and right thigh. Admitted to the 3rd AGH in Abbeville on 4 April 1918 and was transferred to Kit M. Treated at a hospital in Brighton on 8 April 1918.
Hardie returned to Australia as per “D.17” aboard HMAT Malta on 29 September 1918 and was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force in consequence of medical unfitness on 18 October 1918.
John Hardie died on 14 June 1947 in the Narrandera District Hospital he was 54 years of age. He was survived by his widow and one son and two daughters – the son is Glen Hardie, while the daughters are Coral and Dianna.