Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas and Mary Lardner of Witney, Oxon., and the husband of Agnes Clara Lardner.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday October 25th, 1918

PARISH CHURCH

During service last Sunday evening, the Rector (Rev. A. H. Birks, M.A.) expressed the sympathy of all present with the relatives and friends of Lieut. T. H. Jacques, Pte. Bott and Pte. Lardner. He spoke of the respective sacrifices that each one had made for King and country, and said their prayers and heartfelt sympathy would go out in those bereaved. In the afternoon a memorial service was held for Pte. Bott, who has recently been reported killed in action. The Rector conducted the service. Mr W. Dunstan presided at the organ and played the Dead March (Saul), and Mr James Cooper and a band of buglers sounded the “Last Post.”

MILITARY FUNERAL

In connection with the death of Mr James William Lardner, Leicester Road, Ibstock, a military funeral was held at the Parish Church, on Thursday afternoon last. The Rector, the Rev. A. H. Birks, M.A. conducted the service. The deceased had served in the army for 19 years, and as a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery served in the South African Way from which he was invalided home with malarial fever. He served two years on home service in the present war, and died from an internal complaint, after thirteen months’ illness. The coffin bore the inscription: “James William Lardner, died October 12th, 1918. Aged 48 years.” The bearers were Messrs. T. Mee, W. Smith, C. Elliott, W. Smith, F. Osborne, E. Barrass and W. Bonsall. A full military firing party under Sergeant Bishop, attended from Wigston, and fired three volleys over the grave. The buglers sounded the “Last Post.” The coffin was draped in the Union Jack.

THANKS

Mrs Lardner and her children, wish to thank all friends for kindness and sympathy shown to them in the loss of a dear husband and loving father.

“There are some things Death cannot sever
Love and remembrance will live for ever”

“His cross was heavy, but patiently borne
None knew the heartache but those left to mourn.
But in God’s good time we shall meet again
Where there’ll be no more suffering, sorrow or pain.”

Coalville Times article - Friday March 7th, 1919

IBSTOCK

PRESENTATION

In recognition of the splendid services rendered by Mr W. Dunstan, headmaster of the Ibstock National Schools, during the war to the Ibstock and District Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Wives and Widows Fund, the Rector (the Rev. A. H. Birks, M.A.) presented to him, on their behalf, an ebony walking stick, silver mounted and engraved; a solid silver inkstand with cut glass holders; and a pair of silver candlesticks.

The presentation took place at the National Schools on Tuesday morning in the presence of a small committee. Mrs J. Lardner, widow of the late Mr James Lardner, was mainly instrumental in getting the subscriptions for the gifts. The engraving was as follows, “Presented as a token of gratitude to W. Dunstan, Esq., by the Ibstock and District Disabled Soldiers, Sailors and Dependents, March 4th, 1919.” Mr Dunstan briefly replied, expressing surprise, and thanked them for their friendly act. What he had done was both a pleasure and a patriotic duty.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 14/6/2018