Tributes paid to much-loved war veteran

Neva Clarke-McKenna. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Doubtless Bay war veteran, historian and much-loved identity Neva Clarke-McKenna has died at the age of 94.

Mrs Clarke-McKenna died on January 15 in Cambridge, where she moved in 2009 to be close to family. Although happy in the Waikato, her heart remained in the Far North. Her ashes will be scattered in Doubtless Bay, near her former home at Coopers Beach.

Mrs Clarke-McKenna was one of the first New Zealand women to serve overseas in World War II. In an interview with the Advocate in 2007, she described the war as "terrible, terrible years" interspersed with great happiness.

Her first fiance joined the air force but was killed in 1942. A day later she signed up in Gisborne, where she initially helped with clerical work and medical examinations. She soon reached the rank of sergeant and was posted to Egypt and Italy.

Her second fiance was killed just three weeks before the end of the war. Once back in New Zealand she took to writing fiction and, after moving to Doubtless Bay in 1973, spent decades researching and writing the area's history. Her records are now held by the Far North Museum at Kaitaia.

Mrs Clarke-McKenna featured in a 1995 documentary by film-maker Gaylene Preston telling women's stories of love and loss in World War II.

In 2010 Mangonui's new boardwalk, which incorporates the town's war memorial, was named after her.

Her comedian son John Clarke, who lives in Melbourne, is famous for inventing the quintessentially Kiwi character Fred Dagg.

Northland Age editor Peter Jackson said Mrs Clarke-McKenna was widely admired for her unfailing positivity and quirky sense of humour. She had known much adversity in her life but delighted in her blessings.

"She was a woman whose glass was unerringly half-full," he said.

She is survived by her son John, daughter Anna Carter in Hamilton, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.