The Elizabeth Cross is an award within the British honours system that is issued to the next of kin of a service man or woman who died due to enemy action or terrorism since 1949. The award comes with a memorial that contains the dead persons name, when they died and has the Queen's signature on it. It is the most recent medal, honour or award to bear the name of a reigning monarch of the United Kingdom since the George Cross. It is not an award for or bravery. It is in the shape of a cross with four equal sides that contains flowers at the end of each arm that represents the four countries within the union of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The medal also contains a laurel wreath behind the cross and bears the dead person's name on the back. The medal comes with a miniature (small version) medal for day wear. The medal can only be worn by the next of kin and for anyone else to wear it (even if related to the person who died) is a criminal offence.
References[change | change source]
- "The Elizabeth Cross – Died On Operations Recognition Award". UK MOD. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/TheElizabethCrossDiedOnOperationsRecognitionAward.htm. Retrieved 06-07-2009.
- Harding, Thomas (01-07-2009). "Bereaved Service families to be awarded Elizabeth Cross". The Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5710673/Bereaved-Service-families-to-be-awarded-Elizabeth-Cross.html. Retrieved 06-07-2009.