Grieving father given medal in honour of his Shropshire-based son who died in Afghanistan
Wednesday 22nd June 2011, 9:40AM BST.
The grieving father of a 20-year-old Shropshire-based soldier who died in Afghanistan has spoken of his pride and sadness after collecting an Elizabeth Cross award from the Duke of York.
Gordon Dalzell was presented with the award at a parade for 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment at Clive Barracks at Tern Hill, near Market Drayton, on Saturday.
He accepted it following the death of his son Ranger David Dalzell, who died in an operational accident in Afghanistan in February as the regiment neared the end of its tour of duty.
Mr Dalzell, from Bangor in Northern Ireland, said: “It was very important for us to be here to accept the Elizabeth Cross on behalf of David.
“Of course I would rather have come here to see him collect a medal, but it is a very gracious gesture.
“David lived in Shropshire for a while before deployment to Afghanistan and he told us it was a nice place to live and that the regiment were made to feel very welcome.
“Prince Andrew was very gracious when he presented the award.”
The Elizabeth Cross, is granted to the next of kin of UK armed forces personnel who have died on operations. It was also presented to the families of Ranger Aaron McCormick, 22, and Lance Corporal Stephen McKee, 27, who also died on active duty in Afghanistan.
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