Erica did not register under the First Order in October 1940. She did however register in 1941 when all Islanders were required to have identity cards, but used the name Mary Erica Richardson, changing her maiden name to Algenon and country of birth to British Guiana to disguise her Dutch origins.  

 On 25 June 1943, Erica was taken to Scott’s photographers by  Aliens Office officials, which suggests that she hadn’t complied with the German Order requiring mass photography of the population in 1942. It is unclear whether the escorted visit to the photographers was at the instigation of the Aliens Office or the German authorities. It appears that Erica was then escorted home under German guard to pack up her possessions, but she somehow managed to divert the attention of the German guards and escape to Albert Bedane’s home and physiotherapy clinic in Roseville Street, St Helier. In an interview with the Jersey Evening Post in June 1970, Albert stated: 

‘She [Mrs Richardson] had been questioned by the Germans at College House…and was allowed to go home and collect her jewels and valuables because, she was told she was to be sent to a “very nice, special camp where she would be well looked after, and she would need her best things with her.” 

 Albert also recounted that whilst in hiding Mrs Richardson changed her hair style, wore dark glasses and occasionally sat out in the garden. She escaped detection by returning to the secret cellar whenever the house was searched by the German authorities. Erica remained at Albert’s home until the final weeks of the war when she came out of hiding to care for her husband, who was by then an invalid.  

 After the details of Albert's heroism emerged, an application was made for his posthumous recognition by the State of Israel. Albert was awarded the honour of Righteous Among the Nations in the year 2000.