Elizabeth Cross awarded to family of Lance Corporal who died in Cyprus

The family of a soldier who died in Cyprus more than 50 years ago have been presented with the Elizabeth Cross.

Lance Corporal Roy Newsome died on 12 September 1956 as a result of an accidental gunshot wound while serving in Cyprus.

His sister June Thompson received the Elizabeth Cross and the Memorial Scroll on behalf of the family.

The event was hosted by the Deputy Commander of 11 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters South East, Colonel Simon Browne OBE, at the Aldershot Garrison Officers Mess.

As a mark of respect, The Band of the Royal Artillery Brass Quintet played the Regimental March of the Royal Army Service Corps and a Piper from 1st Battalion Irish Guards played the Last Post and Reveille.

The Elizabeth Cross was introduced in 2009 and is awarded in national recognition of the loss and sacrifice made by the families of those service personnel killed during operations.

LCpl Roy Newsome was born on 28 May 1935 in Doncaster.

LCpl Newsome served in the Royal Army Service Corps and was deployed to Cyprus with 63 Parachute Company, RASC as part of the British force's involvement in the Cyprus Emergency.

He was buried at Wayne’s Keep Military Cemetery in Cyprus and posthumously awarded the General Service Medal with Cyprus clasp in January 1958.