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Nancy Wake (1912-2011). Nancy was honoured by the UK, US, France and Australia and also received the NZ RSA’s highest honour, the Badge in Gold. However, she has so far not been formally recognised with a medal from the NZ government.
A film made by Manly resident David Blyth, which will screen on Anzac Day, features never-before-seen excerpts from an interview with New Zealand’s daring World War II secret agent and French resistance fighter Nancy Wake.
Nancy’s ability to evade capture while fighting the Germans and helping Allied soldiers escape back to England, put her life in constant danger. At one time she was number one on the Gestapo’s most wanted list. She is credited with saving thousands of lives.
The interview footage came to light courtesy of retired academic Graeme Wake, of Red Beach, who made contact with David after seeing a story about him in Hibiscus Matters.
Despite sharing a number of similarities with Nancy, including a surname and being born in Wellington, Graeme says he does not believe he is a relative. However, while he was working at Oxford in the UK in the 1990s he met Nancy at a party where she was guest of honour, and says she spoke proudly of her New Zealand heritage. “She was in her late 70s then and very effervescent,” he says.
Graeme was also at the forefront of a campaign (as yet unsuccessful) to have Nancy formally recognised by the New Zealand government for her outstanding war service.
As a result of this campaign, the Wellington RSA gave Graeme the tape of outtakes from a Gibson Group interview with Nancy that took place in the early 1990s, which he later passed on to David. This footage, together with information about Nancy’s courageous war effort is linked in the film with the story of how Nancy became the inspiration for the Black Ferns World Cup campaign, told by team member Charmaine McMenamin. The Women’s Rugby World Cup is now called the Nancy Cup in Wake’s honour.
Graeme describes helping David with the film as “the last thing I can do
for Nancy”.
A number of David’s films that focus on veterans – several from the Hibiscus Coast, will screen on Anzac Day (see below).
“This work is my service to New Zealand,” David says.
Anzac Day screenings
• Nancy Wake Remembered Maori TV, 9.35am • Victor 4 Company documentary, Maori TV, 10.05am • Kiwi Servicewomen, Maori TV, 4.30pm • Prisoners of War, Prime, 9.30pm
