Elizabeth Cross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elizabeth Cross |
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| Type | Commemorative emblem |
| Eligibility | Member of the British Armed Forces killed in action or died of wounds caused by military actions |
| Awarded for | Granted to the next of kin of servicemen and women who died during operations or were killed as the result of terrorist action since the Second World War |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Description | Cross made of hallmarked silver carrying the rose of England, the Scottish thistle, the Irish shamrock, and the Welsh daffodil. The centre bears the crowned cypher of Queen Elizabeth II. The cross is backed by a representation of a laurel wreath. |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1 July 2009 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | N/A |
| Equivalent | N/A |
| Next (lower) | N/A |
The Elizabeth Cross is a special award given to the closest family members of British Armed Forces personnel. It is for those who have died while serving their country. This includes people killed in action or as a result of a terrorist attack. The award is named after Queen Elizabeth II. It was created to honor the brave service members who lost their lives after the Second World War.
Contents
What Does the Elizabeth Cross Look Like?
The Elizabeth Cross was designed by Dayna White. It is made of sterling silver, which is a very pure type of silver. The award is shaped like a cross. Behind the cross, there is a design that looks like a laurel wreath. A laurel wreath is a symbol of honor and victory.
The cross also features the national flowers of the United Kingdom:
- The rose for England
- The thistle for Scotland
- The shamrock for Ireland
- The daffodil for Wales
Families receive a larger version of the cross. They also get a smaller pin-on version to wear. With these, they receive a special paper called a Memorial Scroll. The Queen herself signed this scroll. It has the name of the person who died.
The words on the scroll are:
This scroll commemorates [name] who gave his/her life for Queen and country on the [date] day of [month] [year]
These words were chosen by a famous poet named Andrew Motion. He was the Poet Laureate at the time.
When Was the Elizabeth Cross Started?
Queen Elizabeth II officially started the award on 1 July 2009. However, it can be given for deaths that happened earlier. This means it covers deaths from the end of the Second World War onwards.
Before this award, families of those who died in the First World War received a memorial scroll and a bronze plaque. For deaths in the Second World War and the Korean War, families received only a scroll. The Elizabeth Cross was created to give a more lasting symbol of recognition.
The government announced the new award in the House of Commons. This is one of the main parts of the UK Parliament. The Queen also announced it on the British Forces Broadcasting Service.
Who Can Receive the Elizabeth Cross?
The first Elizabeth Crosses were given out on 1 August 2009. They were sent from the Ministry of Defence Medal Office.
The closest family members, called "next of kin," can choose how they receive the award. They can have a public ceremony. This might be with a local official like a Lord Lieutenant or a senior military officer. Or, they can choose a private ceremony.
Only the recognized next of kin receive the cross and the small miniature version. However, other family members can ask for extra copies of the Memorial Scroll.
The government automatically processes awards for those who died since the year 2000. If someone died earlier, their family needs to contact the Ministry of Defence themselves.
The first public presentation of an Elizabeth Cross happened on 18 August 2009. It was given to Karen Upton. Her husband, Warrant Officer Sean Upton, died while serving in Afghanistan.
Eligibility Rules for the Award
The Ministry of Defence has clear rules about who can receive the Elizabeth Cross:
- People who died for any reason while on a military operation that earned a medal. These are operations where soldiers received a Campaign Medal or similar award.
- People who died because of a terrorist attack. This applies if they were targeted because they were part of the UK Armed Forces.
- People who died during a dangerous non-medal-earning task. This means the death was caused by the high risk of the task itself.
- People who died later from an injury or illness. This must be directly linked to the situations mentioned above.
Generally, the service must have happened on or after 1 January 1948. For those who served in Palestine, it covers deaths after 27 September 1945.
The Secretary of State for Defence recommends who should receive the award to the monarch. The Ministry of Defence decides if someone meets the rules. All names of those honored with the Elizabeth Cross are kept in a special record.
If the person receiving the cross is also in the Armed Forces, they can wear it on their uniform. It is worn on the right side when other medals are worn.
Other Similar Awards
New Zealand has a similar award called the New Zealand Memorial Cross. It is given to families of those killed while serving. This award has been given since the Second World War.
See also
- Elizabeth Emblem, a similar award for civilians
- List of wound decorations
- Victoria Cross
- George Cross
