LCpl Scott Hardy was born and raised in Chelmsford. A bricklayer before joining the Army, he excelled at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick. He passed out of training in May 2007 and deployed to Afghanistan on Op HERRICK 6 only three weeks later. His age and maturity showed in Afghanistan and he was identified as a soldier with the potential to become a Junior Non Commissioned Officer. He passed his Leadership Course in the winter of 2008 and was promoted shortly after. His performance on this course was indicative of the man. In the swirling snow and sub-zero conditions and after four and a half hours of tabbing up mountains, he was still there, plugging away with a grim smile on his face. He soaked hardship up and got on with the job.

LCpl Hardy arrived in Afghanistan on 19 October 2009 and was employed as a section Second in Command in 3 Platoon of A (Norfolk) Company. He was killed, aged 26, in an IED explosion north of Musa Qaleh whilst on an operation inserted deep into Taliban territory, attacking the insurgents where they least expected it.

WM

Maj Stuart Smith, Officer Commanding A (Norfolk) Company, adds:

LCpl Scott Hardy was a larger than life character with a great sense of humour, but beside this he was a thoroughly professional JNCO. He relished the challenges that came with the job of a light role infantry section commander on operations. Whether he was engaging with the local nationals or taking the fight to the enemy, his first thought were always for his men and they respected him accordingly.

With his previous operational experience in Afghanistan in 2007 and with his current performance this year, he had shown his full potential and was highlighted as a real star of the future. Snatched from us in the prime of his life, he will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family, girlfriend and friends at this very difficult time.

Lt Simon Broomfield, Officer Commanding 3 Platoon, adds further:

Older than most when he joined up, LCpl Hardy was one of the rocks that 3 Platoon relied on. Due to go on his Section Commanders’ Battle Course on return to the UK, he was undoubtedly going to achieve a strong pass – he was a good leader, a man that I trusted. Always smiling, always ready with a joke, he was one of those larger than life characters who was always looking for the next thing to take the mickey out of. 3 Platoon mourns his loss and he leaves a huge hole in the Platoon. Our thoughts are with his family and his girlfriend Charlene.