The Elizabeth Medal and Scroll along with the General Service Medal 1918 (Cyprus) with Clasp, have been presented posthumously in a ceremony in Halton House to the brother of Leading Aircraftman (LAC) John Faithfull. The Medal and Scroll were presented by Sir Aubrey-Fletcher, Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in Buckinghamshire. The General Service Medal was then presented by Station Commander, Group Captain Catherine Wilson.
Image by: RAF Halton Photographic Section
Accepting the award was Mr David Faithful, brother of LAC Faithful, who tragically lost his life at the scene of a road accident near Limassol in Cyprus in 1956. Both John and LAC Joseph McManus who was also killed, are buried at Waynes Keep, British Military Cemetery in Cyprus. It was during the period known as ‘The Four Year Cyprus Emergency which commenced on 1 April 1955. They were aged just 19 and two of the total 372 British Servicemen who lost their lives during this turbulent time in Cyprus history. John joined the RAF as a National Serviceman in the RAF Regiment at the age of 18.
Image by: RAF Halton Photographic Section
The Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll are granted to the next of kin of UK Armed Forces personnel who have died on operations, or as a result of an act of terrorism, in national recognition of their loss and sacrifice. The Elizabeth Cross is not a posthumous medal for the fallen but an emblem demonstrating tangible national recognition for service families
David Faithfull paid tribute to his brother, remembering him as ‘kind and caring’. He said: “This has been an emotional day for the family and I feel full of pride. I recall that I took the telegram from the post man when it came, edged with black, so I knew what it was, and had to tell my mother and father and John’s fiancée. Five months ago a gentlemen contacted me as he was tracing relevant families which brought us here today, feeling as if we have closure at long last.
We had no correspondence at the time so only a sketchy knowledge about what had happened. We didn’t even know he had served in Egypt, and only in recent years has there been a memorial stone laid in Birmingham. I always thought that the men who fought in Cyprus were never fully recognised for what they had done.”
Sir Aubrey-Fletcher said: “I do maybe two of these a year, and it’s an extraordinary job. These medals have been a long time coming and very welcomed by the families as recognition of what their loved ones had done.”
