From the News

Dated: June 3, 1922

Memorial Cross Issue Extended

Wives and Mothers of Deceased Soldiers to Receive Medal Regardless of Date of Death

The Memorial Cross which heretofore has been available only to those wives and mothers of soldiers whose deaths resulted from active service prior to November 11th, 1920, will now be issued in respect of any man who dies as a result of active service, regardless of the date of death.

A militia order has just been issued to this effect as the result of representations from the Ontario Provincial Command G.W.V.A., strongly supported by Capt. H. A. Chadwick of the Records Branch, Department of National Defence.

The issue of the Memorial Cross in the first instance was prompted by the desire of the nation to provide some tangible recognition of the sacrifice of mothers who gave their sons in the defence of the nation.  It was also made available to the wives of married deceased soldiers, but the issue was contingent upon death having occurred within two years of the signing of the Armistice.  The new regulation makes provision for the issue of the Cross to those eligible on account of deaths which have occurred since November 11, 1920, and which were attributable to war service, and for such deaths that may occur in future.

The authorities have no means of securing accurate information concerning post-war deaths so it is necessary for those concerned to make application to the department for the issue of the medal.  In the cases of soldiers who married after enlistment, and whose deaths occurred prior to or after discharge, both the wife and the mother are eligible to receive the Memorial Cross.  G.W.V.A. branches will in future, as in the past, provide every assistance necessary, in this and other respects, to the relatives of deceased soldiers.