An extraordinary woman, Nancy Wake worked for the French resistance and then was an agent for the Special Operations Executive (SOE), becoming one of the most wanted women in France. She spent her last years at the Royal Star & Garter on Richmond Hill, when it was still a Home for disabled ex-service men and women. Pippa Duncan looks into her life…
Nancy Wake thwarted the Nazis at every turn. An experienced resistance fighter, she was known to the Gestapo as the White Mouse and was on their most wanted list – a mighty pest they couldn’t catch, thanks to her ability to get out of every tight situation.
Before the Second World War broke out, Wake’s life couldn’t have been more different. Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, her adventurous spirit had led her to Europe in the 1930s, where she became a journalist. In 1939 she was living with her French husband, wealthy industrialist Henri Fiocca, in Marseilles and witnessed herself life under Nazi occupation.
She immediately joined the resistance, becoming a courier, carrying out clandestine missions, smuggling messages, documents and supplies to resistance groups and Allied forces, saying: ‘I don’t see why we women should just wave our men a proud goodbye and then knit them balaclavas.’
Her fearless spirit and natural leadership qualities propelled her into more dangerous roles. She transitioned from a courier to a saboteur, undertaking daring missions to disrupt German operations. Wake’s acts of sabotage targeted key infrastructures, including bridges, railways, and communication networks, crippling the enemy’s ability to wage war and bolstering the morale of the resistance.
Nancy Wake’s exceptional leadership skills did not go unnoticed. Recognizing her talents, resistance leaders entrusted her with greater responsibilities. Wake assumed leadership roles within the French Resistance, organising and coordinating resistance activities in her area of operation. She worked tirelessly to unite disparate groups, providing guidance, training, and support for their operations against the German occupation forces.
She said: ‘Freedom is the only thing worth living for. While I was doing that work, I used to think it didn’t matter if I died, because without freedom there was no point in living.’
She risked everything to help Allied soldiers and airmen evade capture and escape from occupied France. Operating under the cover of darkness, Wake orchestrated escape routes, secured safe houses, and arranged transportation across enemy lines. Her efforts saved countless lives.
In 1943, she received devastating news – her husband, Henri Fiocca, had been captured and executed by the Gestapo. Although not involved in the resistance himself, Fiocca’s association with Wake made him a target for the Nazis and he paid a heavy price. She was heartbroken, but more determined than ever to defeat the Germans.
At this time, Wake’s remarkable work was noticed by the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a clandestine organisation, tasked with conducing espionage and sabotage in occupied Europe. They brought her to England and gave her extensive training in parachute jumping, hand-to-hand combat and wireless telegraphy. Equipped with her new skills, she returned to France.
As the Allies prepared for the pivotal D-Day invasion, Nancy Wake played a critical role in coordinating resistance activities in occupied France. Leading the Maquis in the rugged terrain of rural France, she orchestrated sabotage missions, ambushed German convoys, and disrupted enemy communications. Her leadership and bravery paved the way for the success of the Allied landings on June 6, 1944, marking a turning point in the war. She said ‘I was never afraid. I was too busy to be afraid.’
After the war, her contribution was widely recognised and she received numerous honours and awards, including the George Medal, the Medal of Freedom from the United States, the Legion of Honour from France and the Companion of the Order of Australia.
Her commitment to her fellow veterans continued long after the war. In 2003, she moved to the Royal Star and Garter Home in Richmond, the renowned care home for retired war veterans. The home offered nursing and residential care tailored to veterans’ needs, but most of all it was a place where veterans could find companionship with those who had been through war. She found the camaraderie and the support she needed in her later years.
Her autobiography, The White Mouse, immortalised her incredible work. Nancy Wake passed away on 7 August, 2011, leaving behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to freedom.
‘When I die, I want my ashes scattered over the hills where I fought with brave men…’
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You can find out more about Nancy Wake at the National Archives website.