Duncan Hart relived the Battle of Monte Cassino where he fought in Italy when he visited during the 70th anniversary of the battle in 2014.

If you ask Duncan Hart about helping fellow war veterans, he will tell you it's just a job and it's one he loves.

However, it's hard not to see a man who has willingly and voluntarily served the Marton community for more than 70 years as anything but a hero.

The Marton Returned Services Association president and Lions Club founder was awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Duncan Hart by the cinder block wall which he helped build at the entrance to Dudding Lake.

The award was a "total surprise" to Hart, who said it was recognition for a life of adventure and a desire to help those in need.

The 94-year-old veteran fought at the Battle of Monte Cassino in World War II and has called the Rangitikei town of Marton home since he was born.

He admitted it looked different now - national companies had put several family-run operations out of trade and traffic in the town was hectic.

"Working with the guys in the RSA was like being back in the army again," Hart said. "They're there for one purpose and that's keeping the others going. That's the reward you get.

"You do all these things for your fellow man and that's the enjoyment out of it."

Hart joined the Manawatu Mounted Rifles in 1940 where he was based in Feilding at the old race course. Two-and-a-half-years later, his regiment was called up to battle overseas.

He spent two-and-a-half-years with the 18th Armoured Battalion, where he took part in the what was widely known as the Battle for Rome.

In 2014, he visited the grave of his tank driver, who died at the end of the battle, and John Keystone, a man whom Hart played rugby with and the only Marton man to be buried at Cassino.

The battle lasted from January to May 1944, the aim being to capture Monte Cassino from the Germans. It was part of the defensive line to prevent further Allied penetration into Italy.