As tributes continue to pour in for Henry Allingham, who died on Saturday at the age of 113, so too have calls to commemorate his life.

Many people think it is a great shame the veteran of two world wars was not honoured during his life by the Government.

It was left to the French government to do what many felt ours should have done.

In 2003, Mr Allingham was awarded the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest decoration.

He was awarded the French rank of chevalier, or knight, and was then promoted to the rank of officer in March.

Last month The Argus sent an open letter to Gordon Brown urging the Government to give Mr Allingham the recognition he deserved.

There was no reply.

The Queen’s Honours List was released last month with the usual array of politicians, sports stars and celebrities.

But there was no mention of Mr Allingham or the only other surviving First World War veteran at the time, Harry Patch.

Despite the matter being raised in the House of Lords, neither Mr Allingham nor Mr Patch were honoured.

Shame Pressure is now growing to rectify what many perceive to be a huge wrong.

Des Turner, Brighton Kemptown MP, said he would support a posthumous award.

He said: “I think it would be entirely appropriate.

“He should have been honoured during his lifetime.

The honours system appalls me.

It takes so long to get anything through.

It is a bit of a lottery.

“We tried to hurry them up because of his extreme age but no luck.

I think it is a great shame.

He used his experience from the First World War to benefit other servicemen and I think he has been a great example of a grand veteran.”

A spokesman for Gordon Brown said the Government had been considering honouring Mr Allingham before he died.

He said: “The British Government held Henry Allingham in the highest regard and ministers had been actively considering an appropriate recognition for Henry before the sad news of his death.

“Henry was a hero to this country and as the Prime Minister said at the weekend, a tremendous character who was an inspiration to us all.

His service and contribution to this country will never be forgotten and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Mr Allingham never sought trophies or awards and did not want to be recognised more than other veterans or those who died in battle.

But despite his reserve, he became a symbol of the Great War to many of the younger generation and he continued to speak to schoolchildren and others until very recently.

Nigel Waterson, Eastbourne MP, said Mr Allingham’s main concern was for his fallen comrades.

Mr Waterson said: “I think there should be some kind of posthumous honour but I don’t think that was something that Henry was concerned about.

His real concern was for his comrades.

“Any kind of honour should be a matter for the Queen and whether she feels there is any way to give him a posthumous award or knighthood “I don’t think Henry ever felt he deserved something that was not given to other survivors.

A posthumous honour should be for the whole generation.”

There have been calls from the public and MPs for a memorial service for people to pay their last respects to Mr Allingham.

Sir Menzies Campbell, the former Liberal Democrat leader, said: “A service of thanksgiving which the public could attend would be welcomed, particularly in the light of the present military commitments in Afghanistan.”

Dennis Goodwin, Mr Allingham’s friend and founder of the First World War Veterans’ Association, said Mr Allingham feared the memory of the war would die with the last of his generation.

Tribute He said the most fitting tribute to a man who spent his final years raising awareness of the First World War among the younger generations would be a scheme to continue his good work.

He said: “Obviously a posthumous award is too late because Henry is not here to enjoy it.

He felt if he could set up some sort of bursary in relation to the First World War for adults and children it would be a living memorial.”

Mr Goodwin said Mr Allingham wanted education about the First World War to continue.

He thought people should be encouraged to go to France to see the war graves and to visit residents in old people’s homes to hear their war stories.

Mr Goodwin said: “This would be a more fitting memorial – something alive.

More than anything Henry did not want the memory of the First World War generation to die with him.

“I would love to think that by the time we come to pay our last respects there was a scheme and it had come to fruition so we could say, ‘Henry, we know you’re gone but if you’re looking down we are trying to achieve your last wish’.”

Click here to sign our petition calling on the Government to give Henry Allingham the recognition he deserves.