THE Queen has awarded the George’s Cross to mark the 73rd anniversary of the formation of the NHS.
But who exactly has been awarded the cross? Below is everything you need to know…
Who has been awarded the George Cross medal?
Marking the 73rd anniversary of its inception, the Queen awarded the NHS the George Cross on July 5, 2021.
The medal, which has only been awarded 480 times in history, recognises extraordinary acts of bravery in saving lives.
The honour is being given to the four health services in Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and will be presented at a later date.
The Queen wrote: “It is with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation, that I award the George Cross to the National Health Services of the United Kingdom.
“This award recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four nations.
“Collectively, over more than seven decades, they have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication, demonstrating the highest standards of public service.
“You have the enduring thanks and heartfelt appreciation of us all.”
A thrilled Lord Ashcroft, who had previously backed the awarding of the Cross to the NHS added: “It is only the third time in the decoration’s 81-year history that a collective GC has been awarded by the reigning monarch — and its recipients on this occasion could hardly be more deserving.”
He said it is an appropriate time to show appreciation to those “who risked, and in some cases gave, their lives to treat Covid-19 sufferers”.
What is the George Cross?
The George Cross medal is the highest honour by the government and the Queen a civilian can receive and is equal to the highest military gallantry award – the Victoria cross.
It is silver with one side depicting St George slaying the dragon with the inscription “For Gallantry”.
The other side of the cross is the recipient’s name and the date when the award was given.
It was instituted in 1940 by the Queen’s father King George VI for “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger.”
