Sheringham man collects medal in soldier son’s memory
The father of a soldier who died in the Falklands war has collected a medal in his recognition of his sacrifice.
Geoffrey Crow from Sheringham received an Elizabeth Cross in memory of Pte Jon Crow , who was fatally wounded on June 12 1982 after and intensive and bloody assault on Mount Longdon during the conflict with Argentinian forces on the British run islands in the South Atlantic.
He enlisted to the army in 1978, joined the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment based in Aldershot and was sent to the Falklands as part of the South Atlantic Task Force - tasked with re-capturing the islands.
The memory of people like Pte Crow, who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country, is still vivid for their loved ones whether they died decades ago or in times of recent war and turmoil.
Until now, the loss and sacrifice of those left behind has not been officially recognised. But the families of servicemen killed in military operations or through an act of terrorism since the second world war were honoured at a service in Norwich – the first of its kind to be held in Norfolk.
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Lord-lieutenant of the county Richard Jewson presented the Elizabeth Cross to 10 next of kin on behalf of the Queen, who has given her name to the medal.
Mr Jewson told those present at the service, held at The Great Hospital: 'The Elizabeth Cross was created to provide recognition for the family of armed forces personnel who have died in operations or who have died as a result of terrorism.'
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He told family members: 'I hope that you will wear your Elizabeth Cross with pride and pass it on to future generations so that they can understand the price that has been paid.'
The Elizabeth Cross and memorial scroll is not meant to be a posthumous medal for the fallen but an emblem demonstrating tangible national recognition for service families for their loss. The first ones were granted in August last year.
Mr Jewson said he wanted to use words spoken by the Queen last year to highlight what the award was about. Quoting her, he 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.'
