Virginie Ghesquière (1768–1867), was a French soldier. She served in the Napoleonic army dressed as a man from 1806 to 1812. She served under

Andoche Junot Jean-Andoche Junot, 1st Duke of Abrantes (24 September 1771 – 29 July 1813) was a French military officer during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. Biography Early life Junot was born in Bussy-le-Grand, Côte-d'Or, son o ...

during the

Peninsular War The Peninsular War (1807–1814) was the military conflict fought in the Iberian Peninsula by Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom against the invading and occupying forces of the First French Empire during the Napoleonic Wars. In Spain ...

, and was promoted to sergeant and lieutenant. She is known as one of the three women (alongside

Anne Biget Anne Biget, known as Sister Marthe (1749-1824), was a French nun and army nurse.Sœur Marthe / par J.-M. Suchet (1819-1904), impr. de J. Jacquin (Besançon), 1870. She was originally a nun in Besançon. When the convents were dissolved in France in ...

and

Marie-Jeanne Schellinck Marie Schellinck (25 July 1757, Ghent – 1 September 1840, Menen), also known as Shelling, was a Belgian soldier who fought in the French Revolution. Life Disguised as a man, Schellinck enlisted 1792 in the 2nd Belgian battalion of the Frenc ...

) rumoured to have been given the

Legion of Honour The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon, ...

Napoleon I Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

. That is unconfirmed, but she was given the

Saint Helena Medal The Saint Helena Medal (french: Médaille de Sainte-Hélène) was the first French campaign medal. It was established in 1857 by a decree of emperor Napoleon III to recognise participation in the campaigns led by emperor Napoleon I. Emperor ...

in 1857.

References

1768 births 1867 deaths Female wartime cross-dressers Women in 19th-century warfare Women in war in France French military personnel of the Napoleonic Wars People of the Peninsular War La Grande Armée French female military personnel {{France-mil-bio-stub