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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| New Queen's award for forces dead | New Queen's award for forces dead |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| The Queen has approved a new honour in her name for members of the armed forces who are killed in action or as a result of a terrorist attack. | The Queen has approved a new honour in her name for members of the armed forces who are killed in action or as a result of a terrorist attack. |
| The Elizabeth Cross will be awarded to the families of those killed. | The Elizabeth Cross will be awarded to the families of those killed. |
| In a personal message to service personnel, the Queen said the emblem was "a right and proper way of showing our enduring debt". | In a personal message to service personnel, the Queen said the emblem was "a right and proper way of showing our enduring debt". |
| It will be available to the relatives of all those killed in conflicts since the end of World War II. | |
| The emblem will be made of sterling silver in the shape of a cross and a wreath, and will feature the rose, thistle, shamrock and daffodil to represent soldiers from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. | |
| It will be awarded along with a Memorial Scroll signed by the Queen and bearing the name of the individual killed. | It will be awarded along with a Memorial Scroll signed by the Queen and bearing the name of the individual killed. |
| 'Enduring loss' | 'Enduring loss' |
| Gordon Brown announced the new award during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons on Wednesday. | Gordon Brown announced the new award during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons on Wednesday. |
| He said: "I am confident that this will be a very special and fitting tribute indeed for the great debt we owe to all those who die on operations and the enduring loss shouldered by their families." | He said: "I am confident that this will be a very special and fitting tribute indeed for the great debt we owe to all those who die on operations and the enduring loss shouldered by their families." |
| The Queen explained her motivation for instituting the award in a special radio message on the British Forces Broadcasting Service. | The Queen explained her motivation for instituting the award in a special radio message on the British Forces Broadcasting Service. |
| It is a lasting symbol of the nation's recognition of and gratitude for their sacrifice Air Chief Marshal Jock Stirrup UK fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan | It is a lasting symbol of the nation's recognition of and gratitude for their sacrifice Air Chief Marshal Jock Stirrup UK fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan |
| "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," she 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," she said. |
| "The solemn dignity which we attach to the names of those who have fallen is deeply engrained in our national character. | "The solemn dignity which we attach to the names of those who have fallen is deeply engrained in our national character. |
| "As a people, we accord this ultimate sacrifice the highest honour and respect." | "As a people, we accord this ultimate sacrifice the highest honour and respect." |
| The Ministry of Defence estimates that about 8,000 families could be eligible for the award. | The Ministry of Defence estimates that about 8,000 families could be eligible for the award. |
| It says it will contact the families of those who have died since 2000 about receiving it, but relatives of those killed before that date will be required to apply themselves. | It says it will contact the families of those who have died since 2000 about receiving it, but relatives of those killed before that date will be required to apply themselves. |
| They will then be able to decide whether they wish to receive the award publicly or in private. | They will then be able to decide whether they wish to receive the award publicly or in private. |
| 'Immense pride' | 'Immense pride' |
| It is the first time the name of a reigning monarch has been given to a new award since 1940. | It is the first time the name of a reigning monarch has been given to a new award since 1940. |
| Families will also receive a Memorial Scroll signed by the Queen | Families will also receive a Memorial Scroll signed by the Queen |
| Then King George VI introduced the George Cross, the highest honour for civilian acts of bravery. | Then King George VI introduced the George Cross, the highest honour for civilian acts of bravery. |
| Before this, the Victoria Cross was introduced by Queen Victoria in 1856 for exceptional gallantry by members of the armed forces. | Before this, the Victoria Cross was introduced by Queen Victoria in 1856 for exceptional gallantry by members of the armed forces. |
| The chief of the defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said relatives would wear the Elizabeth Cross with "immense pride". | The chief of the defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said relatives would wear the Elizabeth Cross with "immense pride". |
| He said: "It is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid while safeguarding our security and freedom, it is also a lasting symbol of the nation's recognition of and gratitude for their sacrifice." | He said: "It is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid while safeguarding our security and freedom, it is also a lasting symbol of the nation's recognition of and gratitude for their sacrifice." |
| The Cross will be available to all those killed since 1948 in conflicts including the Falklands War and Northern Ireland Troubles. | |
| Personnel who died in Palestine between September 1945 and the end of 1947 will also be eligible. | |
| It will apply to regular and reserve personnel and will cover those who died in battle and later as a result of injuries received in the field. | |
| Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "The Elizabeth Cross was recommended by the military chiefs to Her Majesty to recognise the huge debt this country owes to the families those brave individuals have left behind." | Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "The Elizabeth Cross was recommended by the military chiefs to Her Majesty to recognise the huge debt this country owes to the families those brave individuals have left behind." |