Infectious Diseases Hospital
(PASSED FROM MUNICIPAL CONTROL ON 1ST APRIL 1948)
Board of Management
The Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre (a campus of the Royal Adelaide Hospital) was originally built as the Metropolitan Infectious Diseases Hospital, established in 1932 for patients with infectious diseases such as polio, scarlet fever, measles and diphtheria. At the time it was established it was an autonomous organisation controlled by its own Board of Management, and its finances were maintained solely through the contributions of local councils.
By 1947, the introduction of immunisation programs and the discovery of new drugs (including penicillin) had created a situation where there was a low incidence of infectious disease, reducing the outbreaks of epidemics as seen in the past, and it was determined that the Metropolitan Infectious Diseases Hospital had outlived the purpose for which it was designed. On 1st April 1948 the responsibility for running the Hospital passed onto the Royal Adelaide Hospital and it was proclaimed an annexe of the Royal Adelaide Hospital (later becoming known as the Northfield Wards of the Royal Adelaide Hospital).
Clifford Bettsworth Hardy, J.P, held the position of Deputy Chairman on the 1948 Board of Management, representing Group “D”, which included the municipalities of Gawler, Henley and Grange, Woodville, Prospect, Enfield, and District Council of Salisbury.
The Official Civic Record of SA: Centenary Year 1936
DATE OF BIRTH: Clifford Bettsworth Hardywas born 28 February 1893, in Port Adelaide, South Australia. His father was James William Hardy, his mother Caroline (Carry) Augusta Bettsworth (sourced from the Australian Birth Index, 1788-1922). His father James Hardy worked as a shipping agent.
During his Primary School years, he attended the Port Adelaide Public School, then in 1910 was registered as attending the LeFevre Peninsula District High School.
MARRIAGE & FAMILY DETAILS:
Clifford Bettsworth Hardy married Sabina Victoria Bower Olive Clair Cook on 30 July 1913 when he was 17 years old, and his wife (known as Clair) was 18 years old. They had eight children in 16 years. (Sourced from Ancestry.com):
- 1. William Clifford Douglas Alexander Hardy, born on 4 February 1914 (died in 1993 at the age of 79)
- 2. Robert Danford Hardy born on 20 August 1916 (Robert passed away on 10 September 1916 when he was less than a year old).
- 3. Mary St. Clair Hardy, born on 13 April 1919 (Mary passed away on 22 April 1919 aged 9 days).
- 4. Graham Bettsworth Hardy, born on 2 August 1920 in Kensington, South Australia (died in 2009 at the age of 88)
- 5. Thelma Patricia Hardy, born on 7 December 1924 (died in 2012 at the age of 87)
- 6. Joan St. Clair Hardy, born on 17 August 1926 (died in 2008 at the age of 81)
- 7. Donald Peter Hardy, born on 21 July 1930 (no other details known)
- 8. (details unknown)
WORK HISTORY & DATES:
During his final year on the Board of Management of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, as Deputy Chairman, Clifford Bettsworth Hardy sat on both the Medical and House Committee, and the Finance Committee.
Centenary Year (1936)
According to the Fifteenth Report of the Board of Management (June 1947), he attended the highest number of Board and Committee meetings combined. Clifford Bettsworth Hardys’ ‘Tenure of Office’ on the Board of Management was approved through to the 30th November 1949, but he passed away 12 months before that date (21st November 1948).
WAR RECORDS:
Image copyrights belong to respective Clarke, Hardy and Bilston families
Clifford Bettsworth Hardy served in the 10th Australian Infantry Battalion (16th Reinforcement) in World War 1, 1914-1918 (Service Number 5108). Aged 20 at the time of his enlistment, he was working as a clerk in Queenstown, South Australia, and lived in New Street, Queenstown, South Australia with his wife, Mrs C. Hardy.
The Australian Imperial Force Nominal Roll that recorded his enrolment listed his position as Acting Corporal, however, his memorial stone lists him as 2nd Lieutenant with the 10th Battalion.
(His Majesty’s Australian Transport).
During the First World War she was converted into a troopship, and leased by the Australian Commonwealth Government until 5 August 1917, when the British Admiralty took over control of the ship (Sourced from Wikipedia)
DATE OF DEATH:
Clifford Bettsworth Hardy died on21 Nov 1948 (age 53) after 35 years of marriage.
BURIAL DETAILS: Cheltenham Cemetery, Cheltenham, South Australia.
OBITUARIES:
Page 10 Family Notices
Clifford Bettsworth Hardys’ wife, Sabina Victoria Bower Olive Clair Hardy (nee Cook) died on 9 June 1963 in South Australia when she was 68 years old.
She is interred alongside her husbands’ grave, in Cheltenham Cemetery, along with their first-born daughter, Mary St Clair Hardy, who died in 1919, age 9 days.
“HARDY – On 9th June 1963 at Daws Road Repatriation Hospital, Clair, beloved wife of the late Clifford Bettsworth Hardy, loving mother of Alex, Graham, Pat (Mrs. D. Amey), Joan (Mrs. L. Rumball), Rosalind (Mrs. I. Rowett), and Peter. Also, Robert and Mary.”
Written by Karyn Baker, CALHN Health Museum Volunteer