'A tiny lady with indomitable spirit'

1Awarding Nancy Wake a Returned and Services Association Badge of Gold - the only New Zealand recognition of her war heroism - was a highlight of his presidency of the RNZRSA, Dunedin man John Campbell says.

Mr Campbell, a past RSA national president, flew to London in 2006 to present, together with the Duke of Edinburgh, Ms Wake with the New Zealand organisation's highest honour.

Ms Wake, a British agent who fought with the French Resistance during World War 2, died in England on Sunday three weeks short of her 99th birthday.

The New Zealand-born woman saved hundreds of Allied lives during the war by getting them back to England from Europe.

Mr Campbell said his first impressions were that Ms Wake was a "tiny lady" with a "clearly indomitable spirit and will".

"She wanted things done her way, but without being a grumpy, elderly lady.

"She knew what she wanted and we did it for her."

Ms Wake remained staunchly proud of her New Zealand citizenship, but despite being decorated by several other countries, was never formally recognised by New Zealand.

After the ceremony, the group went to the special forces club where they had "some more cucumber sandwiches and a gin or two with Nancy" before she went back to her rest-home.

"I had a lot of highlights when I was president; bringing home the Unknown Warrior, the unveiling of the New Zealand Memorial in London, the 90th anniversary of Gallipoli, but the one with Nancy was a big highlight for me."

World War 2 veteran Pat Hickton, who was saved by Nancy Wake and her fellow resistance fighters, said yesterday he was disgusted she had died without formal recognition by the New Zealand Government.

Mr Hickton (90) was a tail gunner in a Wellington bomber, when he was shot down during a bombing raid over occupied France in 1941.

He was taken prisoner, but escaped and was helped back to England by Nancy Wake. He met her in a small village as the French Resistance helped him and other Allied airmen avoid the Germans and get back to England.

"We just said hello. Everything was kept down. No names were mentioned.

"They only said hello when they came in."

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said Ms Wake will not be receiving an honour for bravery from her birth country. On becoming prime minister, Mr Key sought advice on whether it was possible to give her an honour and was told it was not.

"The advice said her heroism had been recognised by decorations from countries she served with, one of which was the British George Medal awarded on behalf of the empire, which included New Zealand.

"The rules of [the British honours system] do not allow for the period of service for acts of bravery to be recognised more than once.

"It was not then possible for New Zealand or Australia, of which Nancy Wake was also a citizen, to recognise her deeds during World War 2 with separate awards for bravery."

The same advice was provided to the previous government, Mr Key was told.

RSA chief executive, Stephen Clarke, said it would now consider her for a permanent public recognition.