This new award was created in 2009 to provide national recognition for the families of Armed Forces Personnel who have died on operations or as a result of an act of terrorism.
This is the first time the name of a reigning monarch has been given to a new award since the George Cross was instituted in 1940 by The Queen’s father, King George VI, for acts of bravery by both civilians and the military. Prior to this, the Victoria Cross was introduced by Queen Victoria in 1856 for acts of gallantry by the Armed Forces.
Background
The Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll are granted to the next of kin of UK Armed Forces personnel who have died on medal-earning operations or as a result of an act of terrorism in national recognition of their loss and sacrifice.
The death of any service person, whatever the circumstances, is a tragic loss to his or her family and to the Armed Forces as a whole, but the Elizabeth Cross was instituted specifically to recognise the unique challenges that service personnel face on operations and from terrorism, and the particular burden this places on Service families.
The Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll will not just be granted to families who have lost loved ones in the recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; The Queen's recognition will also be available to the families of those who died in conflicts dating back to 1948, including the Korean War, the Falklands conflict and operations in Northern Ireland.
Eligible personnel to be remembered in this way are those who were serving with, or former members of the Regular and Reserve Armed Forces or The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). Please visit the Ministry of Defence website for more information about eligibility and how to apply for the award.
The Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll
Next of kin will receive the Elizabeth Cross - a sterling silver emblem in the shape of a cross over a wreath - plus a Memorial Scroll signed by The Queen which will bear the name of the person who died.
The Elizabeth Cross is made of hallmarked silver and is in the form of a cross with a laurel wreath passing between the arms. The arms of the Cross bear floral symbols representing England (Rose) Scotland (Thistle), Ireland (Shamrock) and Wales (Daffodil). The centre of the cross bears the crowned Cypher of The Queen. The reverse of the cross, is engraved with the name of the Service person in whose memory it is granted.
The Memorial Scroll is on parchment style paper, headed with the Royal Coat of Arms and the following words: “This Scroll Commemorates ... who gave his/her life for Queen and Country on ...” The scroll bears the signature of Her Majesty The Queen in the upper left corner.
In a broadcast made on 1 July 2009, The Queen announced the introduction of the Elizabeth Cross, saying, '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'.
Listen to the broadcast on YouTube below or read the full transcript:
