ANTHONY DEVAS (1911-1958):

WRNS (Womens Royal Naval Service) Pamela McGeorge B.E.M., 1942

Oil

Presented by H M Government & War Artists’ Advisory Committee, 1947

A1. 494

Pamela Betty (Elizabeth) McGeorge joined up as a WREN (Womens Royal Naval Service) in 1940 aged 22. Whilst on duty in Devonport, Plymouth on the 22 April 1941 she was caught in an air raid, blown from her motorbike and forced to continue with the delivery of vital communications on foot. She was awarded The British Empire Medal (Military Division) for her bravery and was presented with it by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on 4 November 1941.

After the war she became the National Training Officer for the Girls Nautical Training Corps and did much work for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.

The artist Anthony Devas studied at the Slade in London. He was best known for portrait commissions which is why he was selected to undertake this particular painting. From the early 1940s he was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy, to which he was elected in 1953.

Medals awarded to Pamela McGeorge

Gift from Mrs S Kilvington, 2006

From left to right:

British Empire Medal (Military Division). Awarded for bravery in carrying urgent despatches on foot in an air raid in 1941.

Defence Medal

War Medal

Royal Naval Auxiliary Service - Long Service Medal