Dunblane hero teacher recognised with special honour after giving life to others
Heroic teacher Gwen Mayor has been recognised with one of the country's highest honours for public service – almost three decades after she was killed during the Dunblane Tragedy while protecting her pupils.
She is named in the second ever Elizabeth Emblem List, created in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The recognition is awarded to families of Scottish public servants who have died in the line of duty.
Brave Gwen died while trying to protect her primary one pupils at Dunblane Primary who had been preparing for a PE lesson when evil struck on March 13, 1996.
She was killed instantly when she was shot as she protected youngsters from a gunman.
In total, 17 people were killed – including 16 pupils, aged between five and six, and Gwen.
The gunman then took his own life.
Earlier this year, Gwen's daughter Debbie spoke out in a bid to safeguard a charitable trust set up in her mum's memory.
The Gwen Mayor Memorial Trust – set up by the education union the Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS) - was established to provide financial support for projects in arts, culture, music or sport and applications - from primary schools across Scotland. Debbie hoped to encourage more applications to the trust and to attract trustee membership.
Gwen, however, is not the only local honoured on the Elizabeth Emblem List.
Also recognised is Rodney (Rod) Moore, a retired ambulance paramedic of 40 years' service, who returned to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service to assist with the Covid-19 pandemic response but contracted Covid-19 in October 2020 and died on 21 November 2020.
Joseph Stewart Drake meanwhile, of Stirling and Clackmannan Constabulary, was killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by other officers intentionally struck his car as he tried to intercept it at Dennyloanhead near Falkirk. PC Drake died on 11 August 1967.
The Elizabeth Emblem is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack.
A total of 106 public servants who died in service from across the United Kingdom are being recognised in this second published List.
The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray said: 'I pay tribute to all of those Scots who have been recognised today. Every one of these brave public servants gave their life to protect others. They are people who stepped forward when most of us would step back, and they paid the ultimate price.
'I am particularly pleased that Dunblane teacher Gwen Mayor has been recognised. No-one will ever forget the horror of the shooting at Dunblane Primary School in 1996, when Mrs Mayor was killed trying to protect her pupils.
'I hope that the families of all those recognised will take some comfort in knowing that their loved ones, and their service, has not been forgotten.'
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden said: 'We owe an enduring debt to the public servants who give their lives to protect others.
'The Elizabeth Emblem is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid in service of our communities, it is a lasting symbol of our national gratitude for their incredible sacrifice.'
The Elizabeth Emblem was established last year as a national form of recognition.
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.
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