Press release

Elizabeth Emblem commemorates public servants who died in line of duty

Seven Scots included in first ever recipients of the Elizabeth Emblem.

From:
Scotland Office and The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP
Published
11 November 2024

  • New Emblem recognises police officers, firefighters and other public servants who died in the line of duty.

  • Families of PC George Taylor, Det Sgt Ross Hunt, Firefighter William Crocket, and NHS nurse Neil MacLellan among first recipients.

Seven Scottish public servants are among the first recipients of the Elizabeth Emblem that have been announced. The next of kin of over 30 former firefighters, police officers and other public servants who have died in public service will receive the award in recognition of their deceased loved ones.

The Emblem was announced earlier this year to commemorate public servants who died in the line of duty. The 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.

Among the first recipients is Sally Taylor, the widow of PC George Taylor, who was killed while on patrol on November 30, 1976. He was attacked by two men dressed in prison uniform who had escaped from The State Hospital at Carstairs in Lanarkshire. Also receiving the emblem is Archibald MacLellan, son of Neil MacLellan, a Nursing Officer on duty at the State Hospital that night. He was also killed, along with a patient, by the two men who escaped.

Also honoured is Firefighter William Crocket who will be awarded the Emblem over 60 years after he died in an explosion at the Cheapside Street Whisky Bond in Glasgow that claimed the lives of 19 people on 28 March 1960. Firefighter Crocket’s son William Cruickshank will receive the Emblem on behalf of his late father.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer said: 

“We must never forget those who have given their lives to protect others in the line of duty.

“While families will never be able to replace their loved ones, the Elizabeth Emblem pays tribute to the sacrifice they have made.”

The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray said: 

“The Elizabeth Emblem is inscribed with the words  ‘For A Life Given In Service’ – and nothing could be more apt. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the seven Scottish public servants who receive this new honour today.

“I want to personally thank the families of the police officers, firefighters and NHS nurses who are recognised today for their bravery and service. Your loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the wider community and for that we will be forever grateful.” 

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden said:

“We owe a debt of gratitude to our exceptional public servants who have given their lives in service of our nation.

“The Elizabeth Emblem will honour their dedication and I am pleased to see the first recipients named today.”

To mark the announcement of the first recipients of the Elizabeth Emblem, the first batch of Emblems will be awarded by His Majesty The King later this year. 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. 

Families and next of kin of those who have died in public service are encouraged to apply for an Elizabeth Emblem. 

Further information about the Elizabeth Emblem, including application guidance and eligibility criteria is available here.

The full list of recipients in Scotland is below:

  • Firefighter William Wallace Crocket, Glasgow Fire Brigade. Died 28 March 1960. 

  • Leading Firefighter Dudley Hamish Grant, Scottish Fire Service. Died 19 April 1965. 

  • Police Constable Edward Alexander Barnett, City of Glasgow Police. Died 4 January 1970. 

  • Neil MacLellan, National Health Service. Died 30 November 1976.

  • Police Constable George William Chree Taylor, Strathclyde Police. Died 30 November 1976.

  • Detective Sergeant William Ross Hunt, Strathclyde Police. Died 5 June 1983. 

  • Police Constable Lewis George Fulton, Strathclyde Police. Died 17 June 1994. 

Full list of recipients in England

  • Police Constable Nathanael Edgar, Metropolitan Police. Died 13 February 1948. 

  • Leading Firefighter Leslie Marsh, West Midlands Fire Service. Died 12 February 1949. 

  • Divisional Officer Frank Bennett, Nottingham City Fire Brigade. Died 8 November 1949. 

  • Firefighter Edward James Harwood, London Fire Brigade. Died 21st December 1951. 

  • Assistant Divisional Officer Leslie Arthur Pearce, Kent Fire Brigade. Died 29 November 1957. 

  • Sub Officer George Edward Gladstone, Northumberland Fire Brigade. Died 22 March 1959.

  • Police Constable Leslie Meehan, Metropolitan Police. Died 2 March 1960. 

  • Police Constable Stanley Moore, Lancashire Police. Died 11 February 1969. 

  • Firefighter Terence Joseph Breen, London Fire Brigade. Died 17 July 1969. 

  • Firefighter Paul Anthony Parkin, Sheffield Fire Brigade. Died 10 March 1974. 

  • Firefighter Hylton Brearley, West Yorkshire Fire Service. Died 14 December 1976.

  • Police Constable Christopher John McDonald, Nottinghamshire Police. Died 17 May 1978.

  • Sergeant Michael Hawcroft, West Yorkshire Police. Died 12 March 1981. 

  • Detective Constable James Brian Porter, Durham Constabulary. Died 4 March 1982. 

  • Firefighter Anthony John Hall, Durham County Fire Service. Died 5 September 1982.

  • Woman Police Constable Philipa Jane Arbuthnot, Metropolitan Police. Died 17 December 1983. 

  • Woman Police Constable Yvonne Fletcher, Metropolitan Police. Died 17 April 1984. 

  • Police Constable John Richard Speed, West Yorkshire Police. Died 31 October 1984. 

  • Detective Constable Malcolm James Victor Wiltshire, Hampshire Police. Died 15 May 1985.

  • Police Sergeant Alan King, Metropolitan Police. Died 29 November 1991. 

  • Sergeant William Forth, Northumbria Police. Died 21 March 1993. 

  • Police Constable Philip Walters, Metropolitan Police. Died 18 April 1995. 

  • Firefighter Fleur Lombard, Avon Fire and Rescue. Died 4 February 1996. 

  • Police Constable Malcolm Walker, West Midlands Police. Died 4 October 2001. 

  • Police Constable Gerald Michael Walker, Nottinghamshire Police. Died 9 January 2003.

  • Police Constable Keith Malcolm Dobson, West Midlands Police. Died 11 September 2011. 

  • Police Constable Fiona Bone, Greater Manchester Police. Died 18 September 2012. 

  • Police Constable Nicola Hughes, Greater Manchester Police. Died 18 September 2012. 

  • Police Constable Neil Doyle, Merseyside Police. Died 19 December 2014. 

  • Rebecca Dykes, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Died 16 December 2017.

  • Police Constable Andrew Harper, Thames Valley Police. Died 15 August 2019.

Updates to this page

Published 11 November 2024