The remarkable life of Nancy Grace Augusta Wake is a testament to courage, resilience, and unwavering determination.
Early life & adventurous spirit
Born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1912, Nancy was the youngest of six children. In 1914, her family moved to Australia and settled in North Sydney. At the age of 16, Nancy ran away from home and worked as a nurse. With £200 that she had inherited from an aunt, she journeyed to New York City and then London, where she trained herself as a journalist.
Journalism & Parisian years
In the 1930s, she worked in Paris for the Hearst group of newspapers as a European correspondent, and was living in Marseille with her husband, industrialist Henri Fiocca, when Germany invaded.
The White Mouse: resistance & heroism
Nancy joined the French Resistance and quickly became one of the most wanted figures on the Gestapo’s hit list. Her codename, The White Mouse, was a testament to her incredible ability to elude capture. Her work within the Resistance was invaluable, as she assisted countless Allied airmen and prisoners of war in their escape from German-occupied France. Her steely resolve and quick thinking saved countless lives and struck fear into the hearts of her adversaries.
Acts of sabotage & audacious exploits
Nancy’s daring exploits extended to acts of sabotage as well. She blew up German supply depots, bridges, and railways, causing considerable disruption to the enemy’s war machine. Her audacity was legendary, often described as a mix of grace and cunning. Her adventurous spirit and audacious courage made her a truly exceptional wartime heroine.
Post-war life & achievements
After the war, Nancy Wake continued to lead an extraordinary life. In 1949 she stood as a candidate for the Liberal party in the Australian federal election for the seat of Barton, and again in 1951. Nancy left Australia just after the 1951 election and returned to London, where she worked as an intelligence officer at the Air Ministry in Whitehall. She married John Forward, an RAF officer, in 1957, and they relocated to Australia in the early 1960s. She published her autobiography, The White Mouse, in 1985. In 2001, Wake left Australia for the final time and emigrated to London; she died ten years later at the age of 98.
Legacy & honours
Nancy Wake’s life is a remarkable tale of a woman who defied convention, showed incredible bravery, and lived life on her own terms. She received numerous awards and honours for her wartime efforts, including the George Medal from the United Kingdom, the Medal of Freedom from the United States, and the Badge of Gold from New Zealand. Her story is an uplifting testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of determination. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, a dash of resilience and a whole lot of courage can create a legend that inspires generations.
This article was originally published under the title Flirting with the Enemy in Issue 35 – Embrace Your Vulnerable . You can purchase previous issues and enjoy more enchanting content here.
