HARDY, Campbell Richard

Lieutenant Colonel Campbell Richard Hardy, commanded the 9th RM Bn., until it was redesignated as 46 RM Commando on 1 August 1943. He remained as Commanding Officer 46RM Commando until the end November 1944 when he left to take up the post of  Brigade Commander 3rd Special Service Brigade which was operating in the Far East.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, and a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order, during the Normandy campaign, and later a Second Bar to the Distinguished Service Order during operations in Burma [1] [2] [3] [4].  

 

Obituary by Brigadier Peter Young D.S.O., M.C., M.A., F.S.A.
"Campbell Hardy, who died on the 29th July was, beyond question, the most renowned of the many Royal Marine officers who served with the Commandos in World War II.

He greatly distinguished himself whilst commanding 46 RM Commando in Normandy, and was awarded the D.S.O. and Bar.

Promoted Brigadier, he led 3 Commando Brigade in the last Arakan campaign, at the taking of Akyab and Myebon and in the ferocious fighting at Kangaw, winning a second Bar to his D.S.O.

After the war, Campbell Hardy rose to be Commandant General of the Royal Marines (1955 - 1959). It may be doubted whether in all its long history that ancient corps ever had a better officer at its head.

He was in every way an outstanding officer, at once formidable and kindly. He stood for discipline, but he was as fair as he was strict, besides being blessed with a lively sense of humour. He was above all a fighting commander, a skilled tactician and imperturbably cool under fire. He had the confidence of everyone who served with him.

Let us pay our tribute to the memory of a truly great soldier " [8].