Colour photograph of a World War Two memorial in Vire, Normandy, France.world war 2, war memorial, vire, normandy, france

The town of Vire is on a rocky promontory above the Vire River, situated in the south-west of the Calvados department of Lower Normandy, about half way between Caen (north-east of Vire) and Mont-Saint-Michel (to the south-west). Since 2016 the town has been part of the commune called Vire-Normandie. The town suffered quite heavily during bombardments at the end of the Second World War, and much reconstruction and renovation took place in the decade that followed the end of the war. (https://www.francethisway.com/places/vire.php) Julien Hardy, a stonemason and first discoverer of gold at Happy Valley, near Ballarat, Victoria Australia, was born near Vire, France. This photograph was taken by a descendant of Julian Hardy.Two colour photographs of buildings in the town of Vire, Normandie, France.julien hardy, vire, normandy

Julien Hardy was the first discoverer of gold at Happy Valley. A stonemason, he was born at Vire, Normandy, France. He established a stone quarry on the Melbourne Road, near Warrenheip (on the site now occupied by Shady Acres Caravan Park). From here, he quarried blocks that were used in the Ballarat Town Hall.Newsclippingjulien hardy, stonemason, gold, happy valley, shady acres, warrenheip, ballarat town hall

Julien Hardy married Elizabeth Sophia Francis (a widow) from Basle, Switzerland at St John's Anglican Church, Melbourne on 14 August 1858. According to the certificate, he was a stonemason, living at 27 Victoria Street, North Melbourne. His father was Julien Hardy, a carpenter, and his mother was Jean Marie Penton. He was born at Mon Joie, Normandy, France, near the town of Vire. Elizabeth Sophia Francis was the daughter of Nicholas Cage? Burchardt, a banker, and Elizabeth Leslin. The witnesses were Claude Pottee and Marie Petitjean.julien hardy,basle, switzerland, st john's anglican church, melbourne, 1858, stonemason, julien hardy, jean marie penton, mon joie, normandy, france, vire, elizabeth sophia francis, nicholas burchardt, elizabeth leslin, claude pottee, marie petitjean.