Originally Posted by countymounty

Would an A.T.C. cadet killed by a terrorist bomb in Belfast, attending his squadron parade night, be covered by this award?

Probably not as he was a member of a youth organisation, but then neither would the the widow of Sgt Chris Fleming (12 RA) who died in a hand grenade training accident in Cyprus in the mid-late 70's

Absolutely excellent. Well done HM for lending her name to it and giving it a proper air of gravitas. Now this new medal in the vocabulary, the EC will be a lasting memorial to true sacrifice.

What I like is that it's almost toally objective. Gallantry ala VC of GC is based on the subjective view of gallantry (isn't the bod who stayed behind with danger of attack and full knowledge of this danger just as brave as someone who did the same but was actually attacked? Both put cold bravery into play and stood up to be counted..) and luck (not all acts of gallantry are seen by anyone, or someone in a position to cite them for it). You can't argue with a KIA. Even if they died running away, or accidentally, the grief and hurt to the family is the same.. and this medal will reach each and every one of them*.




*See above for lengthy complications which render this statement not entirely true, but would rob it of it's punchy air.

Originally Posted by countymounty

Would an A.T.C. cadet killed by a terrorist bomb in Belfast, attending his squadron parade night, be covered by this award?

Probably not and unfortunatly neither will my RUC comrades,but I can tell you that Cdt Eddie Wilsons name will be on a memorial to those members of the RAF family ,including the baby murdered in Germany, killed during Op Banner,being planned for Newtownards.

Originally Posted by TheBFG

I hope the award will help the families handle their grief,it will show that the country does care.

How does it show the country cares? What it shows is that someone came up with a good idea to appease a dead soldiers relatives at the same time making the public think the Government really cares.

Originally Posted by countymounty

Would an A.T.C. cadet killed by a terrorist bomb in Belfast, attending his squadron parade night, be covered by this award?

What about a cub scout or girl guide?

Originally Posted by DarkBlueLoggie

Originally Posted by crazywilly

Apologies for being "picky" but the coronation of our Queen was 1953 old boy. I remember watching it on the old black and white titchy tv we had then..

Became Queen on 6 Feb 52, coronation on 2 Jun 53. I guess the death of George VI was unexpected and therefore plans were not in place.

I think it's more likely that the usual year of mourning took place before Her Majesty was crowned.

[quote="DarkBlueLoggie"]

Originally Posted by crazywilly

Apologies for being "picky" but the coronation of our Queen was 1953 old boy. I remember watching it on the old black and white titchy tv we had then..

Became Queen on 6 Feb 52, coronation on 2 Jun 53. I guess the death of George VI was unexpected and therefore plans were not in place.[/quote]

Not that you cant forecast longevity (actuaries) but HM decided, nay insisted on a sunny day for the Coronation, you would find it difficult to sit in a golden carriage in a London winters day!

[quote="ugly"]

Originally Posted by DarkBlueLoggie

Originally Posted by crazywilly

Apologies for being "picky" but the coronation of our Queen was 1953 old boy. I remember watching it on the old black and white titchy tv we had then..

Became Queen on 6 Feb 52, coronation on 2 Jun 53. I guess the death of George VI was unexpected and therefore plans were not in place.[/quote]

Not that you cant forecast longevity (actuaries) but HM decided, nay insisted on a sunny day for the Coronation, you would find it difficult to sit in a golden carriage in a London winters day!

Even then, they got it a bit wrong! Queen Salote (sp?) of Tonga endeared herself to the crowds because she insisted on an open carriage despite the rain. The route-liners had to remove their rain-soaked capes just before the procession started.

You're right about the weather aspect of choosing the date, but I'm sure there were other factors.

Although they took a chance allowing the Queen's Kenya visit, the King's death was on the cards-I believe he'd already lost a lung to his illness. Cancer was never mentioned for the royals in those days and I'm fairly sure the announced cause of death was a blood-clot and plans for the coronation as well as the state funeral would have already been in place.

The longer delay was also due to the sheer logistics, getting large numbers of Commonwealth troops and VIPs from all over the world would have taken up at least a couple of months in those days anyway and there was also a lot of building to be done along the processional route (which was long!).

But of course the Queen became Queen in 1952

Originally Posted by Killaloe

I hope that our RUC Widows will get the medal for our Peelers who were so brave and worked with us and paid the awful price.

Well said !

I think as it is for the Families who have lost loved ones (regardless of the circumstances) while they were serving in the Armed Forces for Queen & Country, then the families of all 16,000 should be awarded the Cross. Remember what people turn their heads away from i.e. suicides, the majority of the time have no idea what the person was going through but as they were serving at the time then in all probability their unfortunate deaths were connected in some way with their service life, pressures from the job to fit in/maintain standards/perform to a high level, PTSD, loss of very good friends, there are many reasons but the fact is they lost their lives while serving their Queen & Country in the Armed Forces... and at the end of the day it is about the Families whose Sons/Daughters died whilst serving their Country and who carry the burden for life of losing a loved one...

Can of Worms - Closed

Originally Posted by crazywilly

Apologies for being "picky" but the coronation of our Queen was 1953 old boy. I remember watching it on the old black and white titchy tv we had then..

I always thought it was '52' crazywilly as I remember well 1977 in Scotland as a kid on Jubilee Year on the Pads Patch having to play various sports against the local downtown hooligan estate!