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The New Zealand Memorial Cross (Queen Elisabeth) The New Zealand Memorial Cross (King George)

The New Zealand Memorial Cross

Overview

The New Zealand Memorial Cross is awarded to the next of kin of all New Zealand servicemen and women who have been killed while on war service or operational service overseas, or who subsequently died of wounds received while on war service or operational service overseas since the start of the Second World War.  

For deaths during the Second World War, the first cross was awarded in the late 1940s or 1950s to the mother. If the mother was deceased the first cross was awarded to the father, or if he was also deceased to the eldest sister, or the eldest brother if the military service person had no living sisters. A second cross was awarded to the widow, eldest daughter, or eldest son (in that order of precedence). If the deceased military service person was not married and had no children only one Memorial Cross was issued.

Description

Two versions of the New Zealand Memorial Cross have been struck: one during the reign of King George VI, and one during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The King George VI cross is worn from a thin purple coloured ribbon suspended around the neck, while the Queen Elizabeth II cross is worn as a brooch.  

The King George VI cross features a Tudor Crown at the top, a fern leaf on each arm of the cross, and the Royal Cypher in the centre.  The Queen Elizabeth II Cross features a St. Edward's Crown at the top, a fern leaf at the end of each arm, and the royal cipher in the centre surrounded by a wreath of laurel. It also bears the name, rank, and number (if any) of the person it is awarded for.

There are no clasps or bars associated with this award.

Eligibility

The cross is awarded to the next of kin of all New Zealand servicemen and women who have been killed while on war service or operational service overseas, or who subsequently died of wounds received while on war service or operational service overseas, since the start of the Second World War.

Up to two New Zealand Memorial Crosses are issued to the family of each individual.

For full details:

For Second World War deaths: The Regulations for the New Zealand Memorial Cross (1947) (PDF, 212 KB)

For deaths on war or operational service since 3 September 1945: The Regulations for the New Zealand Memorial Cross (1960) (PDF, 160 KB)

There is no Royal Warrant for the New Zealand Memorial Cross.

Regulations were issued in 1947 for deaths related to the Second World War and in 1960 for deaths related to operational service since 3 September 1945.

Recipients

The King George VI New Zealand Memorial Cross has been awarded to the families of the more than 11,000 personnel who died while serving in the New Zealand Armed Forces during the Second World War. The Queen Elizabeth II New Zealand Memorial Cross has been awarded to the families of the 136 New Zealand military personnel who have died while on operational service since 3 September 1945.

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this award

    The New Zealand Memorial Cross is not designed to be worn.

  • Checking eligibility and applying for this award

    The New Zealand Memorial Cross was awarded to the next of kin of all New Zealand servicemen and women who have been killed while on war service or operational service overseas, or who subsequently died of wounds received while on war service or operational service overseas, since the commencement of the Second World War.

    Up to two New Zealand Memorial Crosses are issued to the family of each individual.

  • Checking if this award was issued

    Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record.  NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.

    Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by completing the form on the Service Record page. 

    Request a service record