Lily Flaherty, born May 7 1905. (Stanley Camp Roll, IWM)
According to George Wright-Nooth (Prisoner of the Turnip Heads, 1994, 214) she was of Malayan-Chinese ethnicity and married M. J. Flaherty as part of a joint service with 5 other police couples soon after the surrender in 1941.
It really is worth reading Wright-Nooth's "Prisoner of the Turnipheads" for his description of Mrs. Flaherty's activities whilst in internment. He is somewhat patronising, somewhat condescending, towards a number of people (including the Flahertys) in his attitude, but I guess that's the sort of person he was. A product of his time, to some extent. I met him (and spoke with him) only once, when he was visiting HK in the early 1990's researching his book.
"Royal George" describes in his book how Mrs. Flaherty managed to cheat, or "rip off," the Formosa guards with whom she was dealing, and also obtain wood for a coffin for her husband. Sgt. Flaherty did not want to be buried without a coffin - unlike other internees who had to make do with just a shroud.
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Lily Flaherty, born May 7
Lily Flaherty, born May 7 1905. (Stanley Camp Roll, IWM)
According to George Wright-Nooth (Prisoner of the Turnip Heads, 1994, 214) she was of Malayan-Chinese ethnicity and married M. J. Flaherty as part of a joint service with 5 other police couples soon after the surrender in 1941.
"Ma" Flaherty
It really is worth reading Wright-Nooth's "Prisoner of the Turnipheads" for his description of Mrs. Flaherty's activities whilst in internment. He is somewhat patronising, somewhat condescending, towards a number of people (including the Flahertys) in his attitude, but I guess that's the sort of person he was. A product of his time, to some extent. I met him (and spoke with him) only once, when he was visiting HK in the early 1990's researching his book.
"Royal George" describes in his book how Mrs. Flaherty managed to cheat, or "rip off," the Formosa guards with whom she was dealing, and also obtain wood for a coffin for her husband. Sgt. Flaherty did not want to be buried without a coffin - unlike other internees who had to make do with just a shroud.