The family of a firefighter from Bristol who was killed tackling a blaze at a supermarket in the city nearly 30 years ago, and the family of a West police officer killed by Libyan terrorists are among the first recipients of a new award to honour those who died in public service.
More than 30 firefighters, police officers and other public servants have been named as the first recipients of the Elizabeth Emblem, the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK’s Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack.
The family of Avon Fire and Rescue firefighter Fleur Lombard have been named in the first list of recipients. She was just 21 when she was killed while fighting a fire at Leo’s supermarket in Staple Hill in Bristol, back in February 1996.
Among the other recipients will be the family of WPC Yvonne Fletcher, who was originally from Semley near the Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset borders. She was the police officer killed in 1984 by Libyan terrorists who had taken over that country’s embassy in London, sparking a ten-day siege.
Fleur Lombard was the first woman firefighter to die on duty in peacetime in the UK, and has previously been awarded a number of posthumous honours, including the Queen’s Gallantry Medal, back in 1998, in recognition of her bravery. The first recipients of the Elizabeth Emblem date back to the years after the Second World War, and the emblem will become the official commemoration for public servants who die in the line of their duty.
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer said: “We must never forget those who have given their lives to protect others in the line of duty. While families will never be able to replace their loved ones, the Elizabeth Emblem pays tribute to the sacrifice they have made.” The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, added that it would be a ‘sad but proud day for the families.
“We will forever remember the heroism of these police officers, firefighters and public servants, whose acts of selfless courage provide an example to us all,” she said. “Like Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, they dedicated their lives to the service of their communities, and it is fitting that we thank them and honour them with the Emblem created in her name.
“This will be a sad but proud day for all the loved ones whom these heroes left behind, and we offer our gratitude to them too for the strength and dignity that they have shown, and the immense sacrifice that their families have made. We also thank all those who have campaigned for this Emblem over many years to ensure that the courage of those who keep us safe is recognised,” she added.
Fleur Lombard’s sister Rebecca told BBC Breakfast her sister had become a retained firefighter before starting work full time with Avon Fire & Rescue Service.
“She was not fussed about awards, though she seems to be racking them up I have to say – she would think it was a bit silly,” Rebecca said. “However, she was a real family person and she would be absolutely thrilled by what this means for all of the recipients and the organisations that employed them, and she would be absolutely thrilled for my parents,” she added.
Avon’s chief fire officer Simon Shilton knew Fleur Lombard. He said it was important to keep her memory alive.
“It’s especially poignant for her family,” he said. “Whilst the tragedy of the moment moves on for the fire and rescue service, for Fleur’s family they’ve lived a lifetime of sadness and loss so it’s incredibly important that we keep Fleur’s memory alive and that she’s been recognised with such a prestigious award,” he added.
The first Elizabeth Emblems will be awarded by the King later this year.