Following recommendations from the Armed Forces Chiefs of Staff, The Queen has agreed that an award will be made to the next of kin of servicemen and women who have been killed while serving their country in conflicts since 1948.The award will be called the Elizabeth Cross.
In a broadcast to Her Armed Forces today, Her Majesty said:
“In these present times, no less than in previous years, the men and women of our Armed Forces undertake their duties in the knowledge that danger often lies ahead. They know that many have died in the service of our country and that difficulties are ever present.
With this in mind, the Armed Forces have recommended that for those servicemen and women who have given their lives during operations, a special emblem and scroll will be granted to their next of kin. I am pleased to be associated with such an initiative, which is in keeping with a tradition established during the First World War. And so I have asked that this emblem should be known as the Elizabeth Cross.
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. 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.
I greatly hope that the Elizabeth Cross will give further meaning to the nation's debt of gratitude to the families and loved ones of those who have died in the service of our country. We will remember them all."
The Elizabeth Cross takes the form of a badge, or brooch, which next of kin may wear if they choose. Some may do so with pride and others may choose not to. Whatever choice they make should be respected.
But they will all take something from knowing that the Sovereign and the nation have marked their loss and sacrifice in a formal and public manner.
But I wonder how many days will pass before some multiculturalist, equalities-obsessed knuckle-dragger will object that the award takes the form of a Christian symbol, since some of those who have died were of other faiths. This issue has already been raised regarding British Honours and Awards.
But in this case, they would be wrong.
Because, on enlistment, every serviceman or woman takes a solemn oath of allegiance to the Sovereign, who is Defender of the Faith. Her Majesty has granted her own name, uniquely, to this mark of recognition to the fallen, and no serviceman or woman, dead, living, or soon to die, would be any doubt of Her sincerity, of would quibble over its form.
It is the views of serving personnel that count in this case, not those of people who criticize our Armed Forces and its traditions, or those who would never consider placing themselves in harm’s way on behalf of our Nation.
This is a good thing that has been done and I pray that very few Elizabeth Crosses need to be awarded in the future.
But until the Armed Forces are properly resourced, I fear they will.
But they will all take something from knowing that the Sovereign and the nation have marked their loss and sacrifice in a formal and public manner.
But I wonder how many days will pass before some multiculturalist, equalities-obsessed knuckle-dragger will object that the award takes the form of a Christian symbol, since some of those who have died were of other faiths. This issue has already been raised regarding British Honours and Awards.
But in this case, they would be wrong.
Because, on enlistment, every serviceman or woman takes a solemn oath of allegiance to the Sovereign, who is Defender of the Faith. Her Majesty has granted her own name, uniquely, to this mark of recognition to the fallen, and no serviceman or woman, dead, living, or soon to die, would be any doubt of Her sincerity, of would quibble over its form.
It is the views of serving personnel that count in this case, not those of people who criticize our Armed Forces and its traditions, or those who would never consider placing themselves in harm’s way on behalf of our Nation.
This is a good thing that has been done and I pray that very few Elizabeth Crosses need to be awarded in the future.
But until the Armed Forces are properly resourced, I fear they will.
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