The first
Elizabeth Cross has been presented to the family of Warrant
Officer Class 2 (WO2) Sean Upton at his funeral today.
WO2 Upton, from 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, was killed in an
explosion while on a foot patrol in Sangin District, Helmand
Province, on 27th July 2009.
The institution of the award of the Elizabeth Cross, to which Her
Majesty The Queen has given Her name, was announced in Parliament
on 1st July 2009 in national recognition of the loss and sacrifice
suffered by the families of those who are killed on operations or
as a result of an act of terrorism.
This is the first time the name of a reigning Monarch has been
given to a new award since the George Cross was instituted in 1940
by King George VI for brave acts by both civilians and the
military. Prior to this, the Victoria Cross was introduced by
Queen Victoria in 1856 for acts of gallantry by the Armed Forces.
The Elizabeth Cross – a sterling silver emblem, in the shape of a
cross over a wreath – plus a Memorial Scroll signed by The Queen
were presented to WO2 Upton’s wife, Karen Upton, before the
funeral, which was held today at the Garrison Church at Catterick,
Yorkshire. The presentation was made by the Lord Lieutenant of
North Yorkshire, The Lord Crathorne JP, and The Master Gunner St
James’s Park, General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman GBE KCB ADC Gen.
Karen Upton, 32, said:
“It is an absolute honour to receive the very first Elizabeth
Cross in Her Majesty’s name and comforting to feel the support of
Queen and Country. Sean and I grew up together, were childhood
sweethearts and soul mates. He was a loving husband and devoted
father. Wherever our children, Ewan and Hollie, and I go, my
husband will always be with us. Sean was an outstanding soldier,
loved his job and was part of the Army ‘family’. I will wear this
Elizabeth Cross in his honour with pride and treasure it always.”
Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup
said:
“We as a nation owe much to servicemen like WO2 Upton, who gave
his life fighting for our security and freedom. But we all also
owe a great debt to his family. The presentation of this first
Elizabeth Cross in the name of Her Majesty The Queen is a lasting
symbol of the entire nation’s gratitude and respect.”
Lieutenant Colonel John Musgrave, Commanding Officer 5th Regiment
Royal Artillery, said of WO2 Upton:
“5th Regiment has lost a truly dedicated and exemplary soldier
and man, who was a role model to all he met and worked with;
always living and working to the highest standards, but also
always with a smile on his face and a ready laugh, true to his
belief that soldiering should be a rewarding way of life. He will
be sorely missed.”
At the time of the announcement of the Elizabeth Cross, Her
Majesty The Queen said:
“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.”
The Elizabeth Cross is available to the next of kin of those who
have died on medal earning operations or as a result of terrorism
since 1948, including the Korean War, the Falklands conflict and
operations in Northern Ireland.
The arms of the Elizabeth Cross bear floral symbols representing
England (Rose), Scotland (Thistle), Northern Ireland (Shamrock)
and Wales (Daffodil). The reverse of the Cross is engraved with
the name of the person in whose memory it is granted.
The Elizabeth Cross is presented with a Memorial Scroll on
parchment style paper, headed with the Royal Coat of Arms and the
following words: “This Scroll Commemorates [name to be inserted]
who gave his/her life for Queen and Country on [date to be
inserted] ”. The Scroll bears the signature of Her Majesty The
Queen in the upper left hand corner.
The Cross and Scroll were inspired by precedents from the first
and second World Wars. A scroll and a memorial plaque were
presented to the families of those killed in World War One. A
scroll was given to the families of those who died in World War
Two and in the Korean War in the early 1950s.
Families of those Service Personnel who have died since 1948 are
invited to read the information on the MOD Medal Office website
(see below) which includes information on the eligibility criteria
and details of how to apply. Information and an application form
can also be obtained by calling the Medal Office on 0800 085 3600.
Notes to Editors:
Pictures of the funeral and of the presentation of the Elizabeth
Cross will be available on the MOD’s Defence News Imagery service
at www.dni.mod.uk. If you need
to set up an account, email admin@photos.mod.uk or
telephone 020 7218 6997. Broadcast footage of the funeral and
presentation will be pooled. For more information contact the MOD
Press Office.
The eulogy for WO2 Upton is available at:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/WarrantOfficerClass2SeanUptonAndTrooperPhillipLawrenceKilledInAfghanistan.htm
Families of those who have died in Service can find out
more about how to receive the Elizabeth Cross and eligibility
criteria at: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals
For more information, contact Tom Bennett in the
Ministry of Defence Press Office on 020 7218 5083 or DMC-NewsPersonnel4@MOD.uk.
Contacts:
Ministry of Defence
NDS.MOD@coi.gsi.gov.uk