With thanks to Historian Debbie Cameron for discovering Nellie for us
Nellie Elizabeth Isaac was born in 1886 in Hampstead, London, UK, the birth being registered in the third quarter of that year. Her father, Percy Lewis Isaac, was a naval architect and marine engineer. Her paternal Grandfather was the Liverpool artist and lithographer John Raphael Isaac (1809 – 1870), who became medallist to Prince Albert. Her mother – Florence Maud Isaac, nee Alexander – was born in Clapham. John Raphael Isaac did commercial work for some of the major shipping companies - Holt Shipping Line and the White-Star (Packet) Line (Liverpool-Melbourne). These commissions could explain how his son Percy became a naval architect and shipbuilder.
Nellie’s siblings were Rose Amelia, who also became an artist, and John Robert. According to the 1901 Census, the family lived in Dennington Park Road in West Hampstead. By the 1911 Census Nellie and her sister were both living with their parents, with their occupations listed as artists.
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| A Performance in the factory Canteen Theatre |
During the First World War, both Nellie and Rose Isaac gave up their art and design business and worked in the factory of Gordon, Watney and Co., Aeronautical Engineers, in Weybridge, Surrey fro two years.
The factory specialised in the repair and overhaul ofmotor vehicles. The factory’s wartime production included aeronautics and munitions and the factory also worked with the Canadian army in refurbishing some of their vehicles.
The Imperial War Museum came into existence in London in 1917 and in April of that year Agnes Conway – the daughter of the first Honorary Director of the Museum, Sir Martin Conway – was invited to form a Women’s Work Sub-Committee. Nellie Isaac contacted Agnes Conway to contribute some of her work to the effort.
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| Receiving the News of the Armistice, November 11th 1918 |
Paintings by Nellie Isaac h eld by the Imperial War Museum include:
A Performance in the Factory Canteen Theatre
Factory Tug O’ War
Receiving the News of the Armistice, November 11th 1918
Armistice Week in the Canteen. November 12th, 1918: A victory dance organized for women workers. Bunting hangs from the ceiling. A large Union Jack at the far end.
Sources:
Find my Past
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1468972083412699 – Remembering British Women In WW1 – The Home Front and Overseas created by Debbie Cameron
https://www.josieholford.com/women-artists-of-ww1-nellie-isaac/
https://matt-houghton.squarespace.com/john-raphael-isaac
NOTE: Debbie Cameron’s Facebook Pages: Remembering British Women in WW1 – The Home Front and Overseas https://www.facebook.com/groups/1468972083412699/
and
RBL Women’s WW1 Remembrance Badge https://www.facebook.com/groups/1767775906637896/
