A symbol of the nation's gratitude ..the Daily Mirror can rightly feel proud of what it has achieved - CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE STAFF, SIR JOCK STIRRUP; After our two-year campaign, the Elizabeth Cross is launched for the families of fallen troops.

Byline: CHRIS HUGHES

THE head of the armed forces yesterday applauded the Daily Mirror's Honour the Brave campaign as a historic medal for troops killed in action was finally unveiled.

Sir Jock Stirrup said the newspaper should feel great satisfaction with our two-year crusade which helped seal the landmark victory.

As the silver Elizabeth Cross was launched by the Queen yesterday, the Chief of the Defence Staff declared: "The Mirror was very much in the fore of the discussions relating to this new award and I think the paper can rightly feel really proud of itself in what it has achieved."

Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock believes the honour would be held with immense pride by families of the fallen, adding: "It is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid while safeguarding our security and freedom but also a lasting symbol of the nation's gratitude for their sacrifice."

As many as 8,000 Elizabeth Crosses and scrolls will be issued from next month.

This is the number of UK troops killed since the end of the Second World War whose deaths qualify their next of kin.

The Queen is the first reigning monarch to have their name put to a new award since King George VI's George Cross in 1940. In a message to servicemen and women globally, she said: "Wherever you are deployed... you should be assured that I and the whole nation are deeply thankful for the part you play in helping to maintain peace around the globe.

"The men and women of our armed forces know that many have died in the service of our country and that difficulties are ever present. With this in mind, the armed forces have recommended that for those who give their lives during operations a special emblem and scroll will be granted to their next of kin. I am pleased to be associated with such an initiative ... and so I have asked this emblem be known as the Elizabeth Cross."

Gordon Brown added: "This will be a very special and fitting tribute indeed for the great debt we owe to all those who die on operations and the enduring loss shouldered by the families."

Our Honour the Brave campaign has forced a dramatic change in military history.

Within months of launching it in August 2007, we had the support of Mr Brown, most British MPs, the dead's families and military chiefs. These included former head of the SAS Major General John Holmes and excommander of the Desert rats who led them against Saddam in 1991, Major General Patrick Cordingley. It was done with the backing of former commander of UK forces in Afghanistan, Col Richard Kemp.

So far the British military death toll in Afghanistan since 2001 is 169. And since the 2003 invasion, 179 have died in Iraq .

The Cross will also go to next of kin of troops killed in operations since 1945. They also get a parchment scroll signed by her Majesty and dedicated to those "...who gave their life for Queen and Country". Helen Gray, 43, whose son Chris - a Private with 1 Royal Anglian - was killed in 2007 in Afghanistan, said: "Ever since Christopher died I have wondered what I will say to his younger brothers' children when they ask, 'What did Uncle Christopher get from the country after he was killed fighting in Afghanistan?'.

"And once I receive this Elizabeth Cross, which sounds so lovely, I will be able to point to it and say, 'That's what Christopher got'. I am so excited with this news after we all campaigned so hard to win it."

Christine Bonner, 52, whose son Darren, 31, also died in Afghanistan, said it will help his stepson Matthew, 12, and son Tristan, six, know what he did in the war. She added: "I am so pleased with this news."

The Cross will be made of silver and carry the rose of England, the Scottish thistle, the Irish shamrock and the Welsh daffodil.

Its centre will bear the crowned cypher of the Queen. It will be given with the scroll which will be headed with the Royal Coat of Arms and the Queen's signature, and will carry the words: "This Scroll Commemorates... who gave his/her life for Queen and country on..." Stuart Gendall, of The Royal British Legion, said: "All those who risk their lives in conflict deserve the nation's thanks. Congratulations to the Mirror on a well-fought campaign."

MP and Chairman of the Commons subcommittee on Terrorism Patrick Mercer, himself a former infantry commander, added: "It seems strange to me that it took so much time and pressure to achieve this worthy outcome."

Voice of the Mirror: Page 10

THE KEY BATTLES

THE British operations which qualify for medals are:

PALESTINE: 1945-1948 Conflict after the British refused to allow Jewish immigration into Palestine.

MALAYA: 1948- 1960 War for independence.

KOREA: 1950-1951 North Korean forces invaded the US-protected South.

SUEZ: 1956-1957 An attack on Egypt after the Suez Canal's nationalised.

CYPRUS: 1955-1959 Movement for union with Greece led to attacks on British troops.

BORNEO: 1962-1966 Sparked by Indonesian fears that the Federation of Malaysia was an attempt by Britain to maintain rule.

NORTHERN IRELAND: 1969-2008 Troops sent to restore law and order following three days of violence.

FALKLANDS: 1982 Started with the Argentine invasion and occupation of the Falkland Islands.

GULF 1: 1990-1991 Invasion by US-led coalition after Saddam Hussein's troops poured into Kuwait.

FMR YUGOSLAVIA: 1992 Intervention after horrific ethnic cleansing.

SIERRA LEONE: 2000-2002 UN defeats rebel forces and restored the government.

AFGHANISTAN: 2001Post 9/11 operation to topple the Taliban.

IRAQ: 2003-2009 Invasion over claims Saddam had Weapon of Mass Destruction.

WHO'LL GET THE AWARD

THE new medal honouring fallen troops is being warmly welcomed by grieving families and the military.

But who will receive the Elizabeth Cross and how can they apply? The next of kin of those servicemen and women whose deaths fall into the following categories will qualify:

1 Those killed by whatever cause while serving on a medal-earning operation, such as L Cpl Kieron Hill killed in Afghanistan. Those currently serving there get the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, so they would get the Elizabeth Cross. Also those operations where a UN, Nato or other international body or other nations campaign medal was awarded in the absence of a UK medal.

2 Those killed by terrorism where they were targeted because they were in the UK Armed Forces.

3 Those who died on a non-medal earning operational task where death is caused by the inherent risk of the task.

4 Those who died prematurely as a result of an injury or illness attributed to the circumstances outlines above.

5 These apply only to those circumstances that happened after January 1948 - i. e. since the end of the Second World War - or if they happened as a result of service in Palestine after September 27 1945. This is because the Second World War deaths are recognised by the War Graves Commission, but the Palestine ones are not.

6 If there are unusual circumstances the MoD will adjudicate on a case by case basis.

7 Just one Elizabeth Cross will be awarded for each death, although an extra scroll may be given to: the parents of the deceased, if they are not the next of kin, or the spouse or partner of the deceased. Also a person who can prove he or she had a significant relationship with the dead person may qualify for an extra scroll.

8 From today families of those who died in these circumstances can apply for the Elizabeth Cross and Scroll to the MoD Medal Office. Application details are on the MoD website at www.mod.uk/ defenceinternet/defencefor/ veterans/medals or by calling 0800 085 3600.

CAPTION(S):

PRAISE Sir Jock Stirrup yesterday BACKING Queen and, left, the scroll FALLEN Hero L Cpl Kieron Hill SUCCESS Yesterday's Daily Mirror PLEDGE June 10, 2008 BACKING March 17, 2008 SUPPORT February 28, 2008 TOP BRASS November 24, 2007 APPEAL October 23, 2007 JOY Mums Helen Gray, left, and Christine Bonner