Nancy Wake AC (1912–2011), war heroine, grew up in Sydney and moved to Paris to become a journalist. In 1940, when living in Marseilles, she began driving an ambulance, delivering supplies to refugees and English prisoners. Between 1940 and 1942 she helped to maintain escape routes through France. She became one of the Gestapo's most wanted, who code-named her The White Mouse. The Resistance arranged her removal to England to train in Special Operations. Parachuted back into France in 1944, she took charge of 7000 Maquisard resistance fighters, who helped sabotage German communications systems on D-Day. For her incredible efforts, Wake was awarded the George Medal, 1939–45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, British War Medal 1939–45, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, Croix de Guerre with Star and Two Palms, US Medal for Freedom with Palm, and the Medaille de la Resistance.
Despite being one of the most decorated war heroes, Wake had never received an award under the Australian honours system. Melissa Beowulf painted this 2001 portrait to help Wake gain the recognition she deserved, finding her a lively sitter, 'with an infectious humour' ready to tell 'countless tales of her life'. Wake finally received Companion of the Order of Australia in 2004 when she was 92.
Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2004
© Melissa Beowulf/Copyright Agency, 2023
The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the
Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a
Reproduction request. For further information please contact
NPG Copyright.
