Latest news with #ElizabethCross
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us
King Charles presents Elizabeth Emblems to the next of kin of former firefighters, police officers and other public servants who died in the line of duty Last week, eight Scottish public servants who died in service were recognised with a new honour. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Elizabeth Emblem, which was established last year, is conferred by the King and is given to the next of kin of those who died while doing their duty. It's the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which was launched in 2009 and which recognises Armed Forces personnel who died in the course of operations or from an act of terrorism. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Eligible recipients include anyone who died in the course of public service and who, at the time of their death, was employed by the emergency services, the coastguard or the UK, Scottish or Welsh governments. The Emblem honours all those public servants who have given their lives for others, those people who stepped forward when most of us would step back. Among those recognised last week are police officers, firefighters and paramedics. One is Ewan Williamson, a firefighter from the Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service. In the early hours of 12 July 2009, the Balmoral Bar on Dalry Road went up in flames. Ewan and his colleagues demonstrated exceptional courage and selflessness, rescuing 16 people, including a baby. But in the course of the blaze, he became trapped in the basement and was unable to escape or be located by his fellow firefighters. He died in the line of duty. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Another is Rod Moore, a retired paramedic from Falkirk who returned to work during the pandemic out of a sense of duty. Sadly, he contracted the virus and later died. Rod's case is a reminder of the enormous sacrifice made by frontline public service workers during the pandemic, when they risked their health and their lives to keep society running through a national crisis. I'm also pleased to see that the family of Gwen Mayor will receive the honour. Gwen was a primary school teacher who was killed while trying to protect her pupils during the mass shooting at Dunblane Primary School in 1996. No-one will forget the tragedy of the 16 children who lost their lives alongside their teacher. Gwen showed true courage in the face of unimaginable horror. This Monday was the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings, when countless emergency service workers ran towards danger to help others. It's another reminder of the courage, dedication and sacrifice demonstrated every hour of every day by our public service workers, who keep us all safe and keep things running while the rest of us go about our lives. We owe them all an incredible debt, and while that can never be settled, at the very least this new honour recognises those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Nobody should go to work never to return home. And by going to the next of kin, the award also recognises that the family members of those who have died have also made a sacrifice, in losing their loved one. 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. Ian Murray MP for Edinburgh South and Secretary of State for Scotland
Scotsman
07-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Family of hero Edinburgh firefighter Ewan Williamson receives new award in his memory
The family of firefighter Ewan Wiliamson, who died battling a blaze in an Edinburgh pub 16 years ago, has been recognised with a new award from the King. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Elizabeth Emblem was launched just last year and is given to the families of public servants who died in performance of their duty. It 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. Ewan Williamson was killed while battling a blaze in the Balmoral Bar in 2009. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ewan, 35, lost his life on July 12, 2009, after he and fellow members of Green Watch at the Capital's Tollcross fire station responded to a fire at the Balmoral Bar in Dalry Road. Thanks to their bravery, they were together able to rescue 16 people, including a baby. But Ewan became trapped in the building and died despite the desperate efforts of his colleagues to rescue him. Ewan should have been on annual leave on the day of the fire, but had offered to do overtime because of staff shortages. His death shocked Edinburgh. He had had joined the service in 2003 and was the only firefighter in the history of the Lothian and Borders Fire Service to die tackling a blaze. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The official report called his death "tragic, avoidable and unacceptable". It said firefighters had been given "limited or incomplete briefings" about breathing apparatus, with crews "committed into a high risk environment, ill-equipped and without full appreciation of the hazards they were facing". The Elizabeth Emblem - a national form of recognition named after Elizabeth II and conferred by the King - is silver in colour, oval and carries an inscription 'For A Life Given In Service'. The families of a total of 106 public servants from across the UK who died in service were included in what is only the second list of recipients of the emblem. 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "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." Scottish Secretary Ian Murray paid tribute to those who were recognised. He said: '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 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.' And First Minister John Swinney welcomed the awards. 'This recognition enables us to remember their sacrifice and their lives dedicated to public service. They made Scotland a better place for us all and we continue to honour their memory.'
ITV News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Police officers and firefighters based in Northern Ireland among Elizabeth Emblem recipients
More than 100 public servants who died in service have been recognised by the awarding of an Elizabeth Emblem. The award 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. In the second list of Elizabeth Emblem recipients, some 106 police officers, firefighters, overseas workers and other public servants who died in service were recognised, with the award given to their next of kin. Some 33 people on the list were police officers and firefighters based in Northern Ireland. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: 'Our officers put their lives on the line every day while on duty – protecting the communities they proudly serve – often without forewarning of the potential dangers they may encounter. 'It is with deep humility and respect that we remember these 30 fallen officers – our colleagues and friends who gave their lives in service. Their sacrifice and the enduring grief carried by their families must never be forgotten. 'The Elizabeth Emblem is a poignant and powerful symbol of national gratitude – a recognition not only of the officers' ultimate sacrifice, but also of the pain their loved ones have been left behind to process and carry. 'Today, I stand with our police families who have lost a loved one – the Elizabeth Emblem serves as a lasting memory of their bravery." The design of the Elizabeth 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. The Emblem will also include a pin to allow the award to be worn on clothing by the next of kin of the deceased. Families and next of kin of those who have died in public service are able to apply for an Elizabeth Emblem by making an application to the Cabinet Office. The Elizabeth Emblem is 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 is retrospective to 1948 and mirrors the eligibility criteria for the Elizabeth Cross.
ITV News
04-07-2025
- ITV News
Dunblane teacher and officer fatally stabbed on duty among those honoured with Elizabeth Emblem
A Dunblane primary school teacher killed while trying to protect her pupils during Britain's worst mass shooting, and a police officer stabbed to death in the line of duty, are among more than 100 public servants who have been awarded the Elizabeth Emblem. The award was created last year and 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. In total, 106 people, including firefighters, overseas workers, and other public servants have been named as recipients of the prestigious emblem. The award is given to their next of kin at a ceremony, which King Charles hosted for the first round of recipients. Nina Mackay died aged 25 in October 1997, after she was stabbed by a violent and mentally unstable man while searching a property in East London. The street where it happened was changed to Nina Mackay Close. Her mother, Patricia Mackay, 80, said Nina had a 'great social conscience', adding 'everybody liked working with her because she was very hard working'. 'The Metropolitan Police have awarded her many accolades, and the commissioner at the time, just after she was killed, recommended her for the George Medal, which was turned down," said Ms Mackay. 'There's been so much that I'm very grateful for, but this will actually be something tactile that I could hold to remind me what a brave young woman she was," she added School teacher Gwen Mayor, 45, was killed in 1996 while protecting her pupils in the Dunblane Primary School massacre. Her husband, Rodney Mayor, said in a statement that the Mayor family were 'extremely proud and honoured to be receiving this award on behalf of Gwen'. They added: 'We always believed her actions that day deserved more recognition. 'You would have to have known Gwen to know that she would have done whatever trying to protect the children in her care. She paid the ultimate price for that commitment. 'Finally, we now feel that she has been honoured for what happened that day.' Firefighter John Liptrott, who died in 1968 while attempting to rescue three children who had entered a disused mineshaft, was also awarded the Emblem. Another recipient was Police Constable Dennis Cowell, who died in the River Thames in 1965 after a police launch capsized following a collision between three boats. Six people who contracted Covid-19 while working in healthcare were also recognised in the list. These included Dr Poornima Nair Balupuri, a GP living in Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, who died in 2020 doing essential frontline work. The families of 33 police officers and firefighters based in Northern Ireland will also receive the emblem. This includes the family of Constable Cyril Wilson, who was killed by the IRA in an ambush in 1974. Reserve Constable Robert Struthers, who died while serving in the Royal Ulster Constabulary after he was shot by two members of the Provisional IRA in 1978, was also awarded the emblem. 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 design of the Elizabeth Emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, circling around the Tudor Crown, which King Charles adopted when he took the throne. It is inscribed with 'For A Life Given In Service' on the front, and the name of its recipient will be inscribed on the reverse. The emblem will also include a pin to allow the award to be worn on clothing by the next of kin of the deceased. Families and next of kin of those who have died in public service are able to apply for an Elizabeth Emblem by making an application to the Cabinet Office. The award of the Elizabeth Emblem is available to those who died after January 1 1948, and mirrors the eligibility criteria for the Elizabeth Cross.
ITV News
04-07-2025
- General
- ITV News
Late officer awarded Elizabeth Emblem for 'extraordinary courage' during 1965 Isle of Man fire
A fire officer has been awarded the Elizabeth Emblem, 60 years after losing his life on duty during a fire in Douglas on the Isle of Man. Henry Bertram Kenna entered a smoke-filled building alone to search for people, after receiving a call to a commercial building on 22 November 1965. Tragically, he later emerged from the building and collapsed. Fellow firefighters administered first aid and attempted resuscitation and sadly were unable to revive him. His family will receive the award in his honour, presented by Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer. The award recognises emergency service personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. It is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who have died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack. It's the first time an Isle of Man recipient has received the prestigious accolade. At the time of the incident, the main fire appliance in Douglas was already attending a separate fire at Kewaigue tip. On receiving the call to a fire at Express Radio in Athol Street, Station Officer Kenna - known to colleagues as Bert - responded on foot from John Street Station. Sir John Lorimer will release further details in due course, including arrangements for the formal presentation of the Elizabeth Emblem. Sir John said: 'Station Officer Kenna's selfless actions and ultimate sacrifice exemplify the very best of public service. This long-overdue recognition honours not only his bravery, but the enduring contribution of our Island's emergency services.' Chief Fire Officer, Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service, Mark Christian said: 'The actions of Station Officer Kenna on that fateful day were nothing short of heroic. Bert showed no hesitation in entering the building to try and help others and, tragically, made the ultimate sacrifice. We are immensely proud to see Station Officer Kenna and his family recognised for his bravery and selflessness.'
