UK NEWS

ELIZABETH CROSS FOR FAMILIES OF LOST HEROES

The silver Elizabeth cross

Thursday July 2,2009

By Penny Stretton

THE Queen is to honour the families of all British Armed Forces personnel killed on duty since the Second World War.

Relatives of fallen heroes killed in action or as a result of terrorism will be awarded the Elizabeth Cross as a mark of recognition of their loss.

The award, a brooch-style silver cross over a wreath, is signed by the Queen and will bear the name of the service- man or woman concerned.

It comes after mounting pressure on the MoD to acknowledge the suffering of families when a relative is killed serving in the military.

Plans to honour families were announced last year by Des Browne, then the defence secretary. The award will be for families of those killed in conflicts since 1948, including Korea, the Falklands and Northern Ireland.

Officials expect to present the first of about 8,000 Elizabeth Crosses on August 1.

In a message to the Armed Forces yesterday the Queen said: “This seems to me a right and proper way of showing our enduring debt to those who are killed while actively protecting what is most dear to us all.”

Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup, said: “I know the families of those who have given their lives will wear the Cross with immense pride. It is a symbol of the nation’s gratitude for their sacrifice.”

This is the first time the name of a reigning monarch has been given to an award since the George Cross in 1940.

Awards were made to families of the fallen in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War, but military leaders have been criticised for allowing the practice to lapse since then.

The MoD will contact the families of those killed since 2000. Relatives of those who died before then will be invited to apply for the award.

Shadow Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: “It is hoped that the Elizabeth Cross will give some measure of comfort to the families of those to whom we all owe so much.”

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