He was considered too old for active service and was attached to the 7th Garrison Battalion where he was known as an expert on the Vickers machine gun.

On the night of 5 August 1944, Japanese prisoners armed with improvised knives and clubs stormed the guard posts with what a military court of inquiry termed "a suicidal disregard of life."

Hardy was killed in the outbreak, as was Private Ralph Jones, who was also awarded the George Cross.

Private Charles Henry Shepherd was the third Australian victim of the fighting at the camp, while Lieutenant Harry Doncaster was ambushed and killed while recapturing the escapees.

[2] Hardy was manning the Number 2 Vickers machine gun alongside Jones when they were overwhelmed by Japanese prisoners and killed.