Wattisham: Elizabeth Cross Given To Suffolk Families

9 November 2011, 14:04 | Updated: 10 November 2011, 08:11

Families of soldiers killed during army operations have been presented with Elizabeth Crosses today at RAF Wattisham in Suffolk.

The special ceremony saw the four families receive Elizabeth Crosses and Memorial Scrolls to remember their relatives killed while on operations with the British Army since 1948.

Presentations were made by Lord Tollemache, Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, and Brigadier Andrew Williams, Commander of 49 (East) Brigade.

The men who were honoured at the ceremony were -

- Major Christopher Dockerty, of The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, who was killed on June 2, 1994 in Scotland.

- Lance Corporal Alan Alderson, of Corps of Royal Engineers, who was killed on November 9, 1955 in Cyprus.

- Private Arthur Playford, of The Royal Norfolk Regiment, who was killed on July 5, 1952 in Korea.

- Driver Alan Davies, of Royal Army Service Corps, who was killed on May 27, 1948 in Palestine.

The Elizabeth Cross was introduced in 2009 to give recognition to bereaved families. All families of soldiers killed on operations or as a result of terrorist actions since January 1, 1948 are eligible to receive the Elizabeth Cross.

Brigadier Williams told Heart it shows the respect people have for the men...

Brigadier Andrew Williams