Hazel Hardy was a Hong Kong civil servant in the period leading up to the Japanese attack. She was not interned after the surrender because she had Irish papers.
Her fiance before the war was Sergeant R. J. Hardy (R.A.F.), who became a POW in Shamshuipo. He sent her letters through Chinese labourers when he was part of a party forced to work on the extension of Kai Tak airport. She sent in replies by the same route and also smuggled in medicines and food - hence the nickname.
She married Sergeant Hardy soon after the arrival of Admiral Harcourt's fleet on August 30, 1945. He was given special permission to leave his hospital bed in Kowloon for the wedding - he was being treated for the effects of the deprivation he suffered in Stanley and Canton Prisons where he was sent as a result of his resistance work in Shamshuipo.
The couple were also given special permission to leave together on the hospital ship Oxfordshire. They were eventually bound for England.
She was probably the sister of Teresa Young. [Hazel's maiden name was O'Sullivan, see comments below.]
Source:
The Courier-Mail (Brisbane), 21 September 1945, 1
Comments
Contrary to the final
Contrary to the final sentence in my previous post, Hazel's maiden name was O'Sullivan. She was the daughter of Thomas and Mary O'Sullivan.
Hazel Frances Hardy nee O'Sullivan18 Dec 1918 -
Passenger List London to Hong Kong departing 19 December 1924
Thomas F O'Sullivan 37 civil servant UK address High Street Newmarket County Cork
Mary Frances O' Sullivan 27 [dob abt 1897]
John O'Sullivan 11 [dob abt 1913]
Barbara O'Sullivan 9 [dob abt 1915]
Hazel O'Sullivan 5 born 18 December 1918
Passenger List arriving in Liverpool from Hong Kong November 1959
Ralph James Hardy born 26 August 1917 civil servant
Hazel Frances Hardy born 18 December 1918
UK address The Bungalow Buckden Yorkshire
Hazel Frances Hardy nee O'Sullivan 18 Dec 1918 - 10 May 1983
Probate Calendar UK
Hazel Frances Hardy of Seung Hei Buckden North Yorkshire died 10 May 1983