Bravery Awards
BRAVERY AWARD CAMPAIGN
As many of you are aware, we have been campaigning for the official recognition of Constable George Taylor, murdered on the 30th of November 1976 and Detective Sergeant William Ross Hunt, murdered on the 5thof June 1983. Both were officers of Strathclyde Police serving in ‘Q’ Division, Lanarkshire, at the time of their respective murders.
In addition, we have been campaigning for the introduction of a new award for Emergency Service and other public service personnel who have died in the line of duty. This aspect of the campaign was in support of Bryn Hughes, whose daughter PC Nicola Hughes was murdered on the 18th of September 2012, along with her colleague PC Fiona Bone, both of Greater Manchester Police. Bryn and the Police Federation of England and Wales have been campaigning for the introduction of such an award for several years.
The Lanarkshire Police Historical Society, Graham Simpson MSP and Wendy Chamberlain MP have been supporting the Taylor and Hunt families in their campaigns for the past 4 years.
We are pleased to announce the on the 9th of March 2024, a new award, is being introduced for family members of police officers, firefighters and other public servants who have died in public service who will be recognised by the new emblem.
The Elizabeth Emblem, which is conferred by His Majesty The King, is a national form of recognition awarded to the next of kin of police officers, firefighters, and many other public servants.
The award is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or because of a terrorist attack.
We would like to pass on our congratulations to the Taylor, Hunt and Hughes families who have campaigned with dignity to have their loved ones properly recognised for their bravery and sacrifice. This award is long overdue and now quite rightly instituted.
Award of the honour is by application to the Cabinet Office and scrutiny of the George Cross committee and recommendations then made to His Majesty The King, via the Prime Minister.
The award is retrospective to 1948 and mirrors the eligibility criteria for the Elizabeth Cross.
Full details are contained below.
NEW ‘ELIZABETH EMBLEM’ UNVEILED TO COMMEMORATE PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO DIED IN LINE OF DUTY
· Police officers, firefighters and other public servants who died in the line of duty will be commemorated with new Elizabeth Emblem
· National form of recognition conferred by His Majesty The King will be awarded to next of kin
· Elizabeth Emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath surrounding the Tudor Crown
Today [Saturday 9 March 2024], family members of police officers, firefighters and other public servants who have died in public service will be recognised by a new emblem.
The Elizabeth Emblem, which is conferred by His Majesty The King, is a national form of recognition awarded to the next of kin of police officers, firefighters, and many other public servants.
The award is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or because of a terrorist attack.
The design of the Emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, which surrounds the Tudor Crown. It is inscribed with ‘For A Life Given In Service’ and will have the name of the person for whom it is in memoriam inscribed on the reverse of the Emblem. It will include a pin to allow the award to be worn on clothing by the next of kin of the deceased.
The Emblem recognises how the sacrifices made by public servants who have lost their lives because of their duty could be recognised within the honours system.
From today, next of kin of the deceased will be able to apply for the Emblem via gov.uk. Nominations will be reviewed by the George Cross Committee and recommendations then made to His Majesty The King via the Prime Minister.
Recipients of The Elizabeth Emblem will receive their award from a senior representative such as a Chief Constable, Chief Fire Officer or His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said:
“We will not forget those who died in our service.
“The Elizabeth Emblem will bring the nation together to honour the dedication and commitment of these exceptional public servants who have given their lives in service of the United Kingdom.”
Policing Minister, Chris Philp said:
“We owe so much to our public servants who make sacrifices every day to keep us safe.
“The Elizabeth Emblem will recognise those who tragically lost their lives in public service and rightly enshrine them in our country’s history so that their sacrifices are never forgotten.”
Note:
· The Elizabeth Emblem will be awarded to the next of kin of a person who was employed in a role based on the source of a commission on behalf of, or formally funded by, an eligibility body.
· An eligible body is defined as the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, the Northern Ireland Executive, local government, a Crown Dependency or a British Overseas Territory.
· The award of The Elizabeth Emblem will be retrospective to 1948 and mirrors the eligibility criteria for the Elizabeth Cross.
· The next of kin of the deceased will be able to apply for the Emblem. Applications will be made to the Cabinet Office
Full details on the award, how to apply and who will be eligible will be available on GOV.UK.
Photographs: The Elizabeth Emblem and PC Gorge Taylor and D/Sergeant William Ross Hunt