RUC among recipients of bravery honours remembered at service
THE courage of the RUC has been remembered at a special service.
Some of the bravest of the brave, who have won the UK’s highest awards for gallantry, attended the tribute at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London’s Trafalgar Square.
There were 20 recipients of the Victoria Cross or the George Cross, along with widows and families of those who have posthumously received the honours.
Among those present was Brian Rea, who is the chairman of the RUC George Cross Foundation.
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration and is awarded to those who have displayed the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage whilst in extreme danger.
The award of the George Cross to the RUC by the Queen in 2000 was in recognition of the bravery of the force during 30 years of the Troubles.
It was only the second time that it has been made for collective gallantry, after the people of Malta received the honour for their courage during the Second World War.
The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Metropolitan Police Commissioner joined the service of remembrance and rededication where hymns were sung and prayers for world peace, the Queen, country and Commonwealth, were said.
The Last Post and Reveille were also performed during the solemn church service, which supports the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.