Archive · 24 Nov 2025
France Honours Noor Inayat Khan with New Stamp
France has made a special postage stamp to remember Noor Inayat Khan, a brave woman who fought against the Nazis during World War II.
Noor was born in Russia but grew up in France and later moved to England.
She became a spy and worked for the British to help fight against the German soldiers who had taken over France.
She sent important messages to London and was eventually caught and killed.
France and Britain have given her special awards for her bravery.
Now, France is honouring her with a stamp that will be used by people in the country.
Some people think India, where her family originally came from, should also honour her with a stamp.
France issued a new postage stamp honouring Noor Inayat Khan, an Indian-origin British spy who served in the French Resistance during WWII.
Noor is the only woman of Indian origin featured in La Poste’s “Figures of the Resistance” series marking 80 years since the end of the war.
The stamp depicts Noor in her Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) uniform and is based on a photographic etching.
Noor was the first female radio operator sent into occupied France and was eventually executed at Dachau concentration camp.
She received the French Resistance Medal, Croix de Guerre, and Britain’s George Cross for her heroism.
- Who
- Noor Inayat Khan, an Indian-origin British spy
- What
- France issued a commemorative postage stamp in her honour
- When
- The stamp is part of a series marking 80 years since the end of WWII
- Where
- France
- Why
- To honour her service in the French Resistance during WWII
- Name
- Noor Inayat Khan
- Birth Year
- 1914
- Death Year
- 1944
- Occupation
- British Spy, French Resistance
- Awards
- French Resistance Medal, Croix de Guerre, George Cross
- Stamp Series
- Figures of the Resistance
- Stamp Issuer
- La Poste
- Stamp Theme
- 80 Years Since End of WWII