Encyclopedia

Nancy Grace Augusta Wake (Mrs Forward)

The white mouse

Nancy Wake was born in Wellington, New Zealand on 30 August 1912. She was educated in Sydney. In 1932 Wake married a French businessman, Henri Fiocca. In 1940, she joined the French resistance movement. Between 1940 and 1942 she worked manning the dangerous escape routes through France and helped save the lives of hundreds of Allied Troops.

Code-named the "White Mouse" by the Gestapo, Nancy Wake is one of the most decorated women of the Second World War. She received the George Medal, 1939–45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, British War Medal 1939–45, French Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, French Croix de Guerre with Star and two Palms, US Medal for Freedom with Palm and French Medaille de la Resistance for her courageous endeavours. Wakes' medals are on display in the Second World War gallery at the Australian War Memorial.

1945. Studio Portrait of Nancy Wake
AWM P00885.001

More about...

• Nancy Wake reading list
  A select reading list of sources available at the Australian War Memorial.