Annex V – Memorials

 

Introduction

  1. There are several forms of recognition available to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the fallen and their families. Mementoes form a tangible expression of the nation’s appreciation and sympathy. They are granted by His Majesty’s Canadian Government as a symbol of personal loss and sacrifice in respect of military personnel who lay down their lives for their country and whose death has been identified as being attributable to military service
  2. The DH&R  is responsible to provide these various memorials for presentation and whenever possible, they are prepared and sent to the place of the funeral before the funeral or memorial service. The items are traditionally presented by the most senior officer present, in private, to the entitled recipients in the presence of immediate family. The presentation takes place before the service so the Memorial Crosses and Memorial Ribbons may be worn during the ceremonies and the medal(s), if any, may be displayed on the casket in accordance with funeral protocols. The presentation may take place at the recipient’s residence, at the funeral home or any other suitable location. The wishes of the family regarding the timing and place of the presentation and who should be present should be ascertained and respected to the greatest possible extent.
  3. When the death is clearly attributable to service such as in the case of direct hostile action, accidents while on training, etc., upon confirmation with  VAC, the Memorial Package will be issued immediately.
  4. When the death is not clearly and undeniably attributable to service such as in the case of natural deaths while at work (heart attack, stroke, etc), fatal illnesses, suicides, etc., the Memorial Package will not be issued until VAC has made an official determination regarding the cause of death. In these cases, a delay of several months is to be expected. These presentations will be made by the chain of command and can be integrated in planned unit/ formation ceremonial events, be stand alone public events or private presentations. In all instances, the presentation must be dignified and convey the gratitude and appreciation of Canada for the service of the fallen and the sacrifices of the family. The wishes of the family with regard to presentation (location, date/time,format and presenter) should be respected to the greatest possible extent.

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Memorial package

  1. The Memorial Package includes the Memorial Cross(es), the Memorial Ribbon(s), the Memorial Scroll, the Memorial Bar, any campaign or service medals the deceased may be entitled to (which may include posthumous award of the Sacrifice Medal), and the inscription in the Seventh Book of Remembrance – In the Service of Canada.

Sacrifice medal

  1. Posthumous award of the Sacrifice Medal (SM) is part of the memorial package in the case of the death of a member of the Canadian Forces (CF) as a result of an injury or disease related to military service provided the member served on or after 7 October 2001 (refer to Annex J). Moreover, in the case of a death in a medal-earning theatre or mission, the package will include posthumous award of the appropriate campaign or service medal in accordance with the Regulations for these awards

Memorial cross

  1. Created in 1919 following the Great War, the Memorial Cross is granted to the loved ones of the fallen on behalf of His Majesty’s Canadian Government as a memento of personal loss and sacrifice in respect of military personnel who lay down their lives for their country. In the last 90 years, the Memorial Cross, also referred to as the Silver Cross, has firmly established itself as the preeminent symbol of Canada’s recognition of the sacrifices endured by the families of Canada's fallen.
  2. The Order in Council is reprinted in Annex V, Appendix 1.
  3. DH&R is responsible for the administration of initial issue and replacements of the Memorial Cross for members who served in the CF (including Regular Force, Primary Reserve, COATS or Canadian Rangers but excluding the Supplementary Reserve) on or after 7 October 2001. For those eligible persons, the Memorial Cross is granted to up to three recipients previously identified by the member whose death is the result of an injury or disease related to military service, regardless of location.
  4. All CF members shall identify potential Memorial Cross recipients by completing and signing the Designation of Memorial Cross Recipients form (DND 2105) and having it inserted in their personnel file (for ships at sea, a copy should be kept on land and for deployed units, a copy should be brought into theatre). The recipients do not have to be family members and may be any living person. It is the members’ responsibility to update this form as their circumstances change. This form represents the wishes of the deceased and the presenter is not authorized, regardless of rank or status, to present a Cross to any other person than the designated recipients.
  5. Members who release after 6 October 2001 remain responsible to update their list of recipients; they may do so by communicating with VAC who is the authority responsible for the initial issue and replacement of the Memorial Cross (under different criteria depending on time period) for:
    1. deaths related to the two World Wars;
    2. deaths related to the Korean War;
    3. deaths related to other operations until 6 October 2001; and
    4. deaths after retirement.
  6. In the event that the member has not completed Designation of Memorial Cross Recipients form (DND 2105), no Memorial Crosses shall be issued until a letter, signed by the executor, administrator or liquidator of the estate, with all pertinent information and identifying the designated recipients of the Memorial Cross (see details below), is forwarded to DH&R. Similarly, if the member designated less than three recipients on the form, the executor, administrator or liquidator may designate additional recipients by the same method up to a total of three.
  7. Because the regulations apply to persons already deceased who never had a chance to designate their recipients, the executor or the administrator of the estate or the liquidator of the succession of the member will designate the recipients. These cases fall in two categories:
    1. Deaths in a Special Duty Area (SDA) (such as Afghanistan) between 7 October 2001 and 31 December 2006 for which one or two Crosses were granted under the old rules. These families are now entitled to additional Crosses so the total granted may reach three.
    2. Deaths outside of a SDA between 7 October 2001 and 31 December 2006 (such as deaths in Canada or at sea) which were not eligible under the old rules. These families are now entitled to three Crosses.
  8. In these cases, a letter, signed by the executor, administrator or liquidator of the estate, and including the following information shall be forwarded to the DH&R:
    1. Name and address of the executor or the administrator of the estate or the liquidator of the succession.
    2. Full names (including all given names) of the designated recipient(s), their address and link with the deceased (e.g. father, daughter, friend). There can be designated one, two or three recipients depending on how many, if any, Memorial Crosses have already been granted in respect of a service death.
    3. Any special instruction for presentation.
    4. Name and address of the primary beneficiary of the estate (usually the person who will inherit the deceased’s medals) even if this person has already received a Cross or will not receive one at all.
  9. Presentation of these additional Crosses will be coordinated by the military chain of command but the wishes of the recipients will be respected to the greatest possible extent.
  10. Any legal recipient may wear the Memorial Cross at any time they deem appropriate. It is worn on the left breast, pinned above any medals the recipient may have been awarded. It should be noted that as medals may only be worn by their original recipient, the medals of a deceased person shall, under no circumstances, be worn by a next of kin or any other person (refer to Chapter 7).
  11. A member of the CF who is the legal recipient of the Memorial Cross may wear the Cross on the CF uniform in accordance with A-AD-265-000/AG-001, Canadian Forces Dress Instructions.

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Memorial ribbon

  1. The Memorial Ribbon was established in 2012 and is offered to close family and friends of CF members who lay down their lives for their country. The Memorial Ribbon is intended for the closest loved-ones of Canada's fallen, especially children, who are not designated as one of the three recipients of the Memorial Cross.
  2. Up to five (5) Memorial Ribbons may be issued in commemoration of every CF member whose death is attributed to an injury or illness sustained on or after October 1, 1947, due to military service.
  3. Those who have received the Memorial Cross are not eligible to receive the Memorial Ribbon.
  4. For a list of persons eligible to make an application for the Memorial Ribbon refer to Chapter 4, paragraph 38.
  5. Application for the Memorial Ribbon can be made using the form DND-2930 available on the website.
  6. The Memorial Ribbon consists of a length of purple ribbon held in a loop by a small silvered-coloured pin depicting the Memorial Cross.
  7. The Memorial Ribbon is worn by the recipient on the lapel over the left breast on any occasion they deem appropriate. It is not authorized for wear on the CF uniform.

Memorial scroll

  1. Introduced during the First World War by the British Government, the Memorial Scroll was issued to families of all Imperial troops who died in wartime including Canadians. The Scroll was reintroduced in Canada in January 2009 and is presented by His Majesty’s Canadian Government to commemorate the sacrifice of military personnel who lay down their lives for their country.
  2. To be eligible, a CF member must have served in the Regular Force, Primary Reserve, COATS or Canadian Rangers after 6 October 2001 and died as a result of an injury or disease related to military service, regardless of location.
  3. Only one Scroll is issued for every eligible death and is presented to the primary beneficiary of the estate of the deceased (usually the person who will inherit the deceased’s medals).
  4. The Scroll is presented in a black leatherette folder bearing the Royal Arms of Canada impressed in gold on the cover.
  5. As a result of its reintroduction in January of 2009, for deaths which occurred between the start of eligibility and 2009, the Scroll will be presented to the eligible recipients at the earliest opportunity, either on the occasion of other presentations such as for the SM or additional Memorial Crosses where applicable, or on a separate occasion. The wishes of the beneficiary will be respected to the greatest possible extent.
  6. For deaths after January 2009, the Scroll will be included as part of the Memorial Package and presented, whenever possible, to the beneficiary before the funeral when the Memorial Crosses and any service medals the deceased may be entitled to will be presented.
  7. The Scroll is cream-coloured with a black border, bearing on its superior part the Royal Arms of Canada in full colour with the Royal Cypher (EIIR for Elizabeth II Regina) displayed in black on either side of the Crown and, below, the following inscription:
    1. "He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who, at the call of their country, served in His Majesty’s CF and, following the path of duty, passed out of the sight of humanity, giving up their lives in the service of Canada. Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten"; or
    2. "She whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who, at the call of their country, served in His Majesty’s CF and, following the path of duty, passed out of the sight of humanity, giving up their lives in the service of Canada. Let those who come after see to it that her name be not forgotten".
  8. The substantive rank at time of death, given names, last name, post-nominals (where applicable) and date of death of the person commemorated appear printed in deep red below the inscription. The scroll is produced in the FOL of the fallen.

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Memorial bar

  1. Created and issued by the Canadian Government during the Second World War in memory of the fallen of that conflict. It was reintroduced in January 2009 using original Second World War stock.
  2. The Memorial Bar is presented by His Majesty’s Canadian Government to commemorate the sacrifice of military personnel who lay down their lives for their country.
  3. To be eligible, a CF member must have served in the Regular Force, Primary Reserve, COATS or Canadian Rangers after 6 October 2001 and died as a result of an injury or disease related to military service, regardless of location.
  4. One Bar is issued for every eligible death and is presented to the primary beneficiary of the estate of the deceased (usually the person who will inherit the deceased’s medals).
  5. As a result of its reintroduction in January of 2009, for deaths which occurred between the start of eligibility and 2009, the Bar will be presented to the eligible recipients at the earliest opportunity, either on the occasion of other presentations such as for the SM or additional Memorial Crosses where applicable, or on a separate occasion. The wishes of the beneficiary will be respected to the greatest possible extent.
  6. For deaths after January 2009, the Bar will be included as part of the Memorial Package and presented, whenever possible, to the beneficiary before the funeral when the Memorial Crosses and any service medals the deceased may be entitled to will be presented.
  7. The Bar is Sterling Silver, 14.5 mm in height, 67 mm in length and 1 mm in thickness, with a raised border decorated with knots and four holes in the corners to allow for attachment.
  8. The Bar is engraved on three lines in the FOL of the fallen with the abbreviated substantive rank at time of death, initials, name and post-nominals (where appropriate) of the fallen; the inscription “DIED IN HIS (or HER) COUNTRY’S SERVICE”; and the date of death.
  9. The Bar is intended to be included in a shadow box which could contain the medals and other mementoes of the fallen, to be affixed to a picture frame or used in any other way the family may judge appropriate.

Dag Hammarskjöld medal

  1. The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal was created on 22 July 1997 by the Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi A. Annan, to mark the 50th anniversary of peacekeeping operations. It was named after Secretary-General Dag Hammarsjöld who died in the service of the UN when the plane in which he was travelling crashed on 18 September 1961 while visiting the UN mission in the Congo.
  2. The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is presented by  the UN  to the families of  those who  gave  their lives  in the service of the UN. More specifically, it is awarded posthumously to all personnel of military, police or civilian components of UN peacekeeping operations who have lost their lives during service with such operations.

Description

  1. A clear colourless lead glass crystal ellipsoid approximately 73 mm wide, 57 mm deep and 38 mm thick, grit blasted with the name and date of death of the recipient on the top, the UN logo on the bottom and the inscriptions “THE DAG HAMMARSKJÖLD MEDAL – IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE” and “MEDAILLE DAG HAMMARSKJÖLD
  2. The medals are forwarded by the UN to DH&R for presentation co-ordination.

Books of remembrance

  1. The names of all the members of the CF who have died as a result of their service since October 1947 are recorded in the Seventh Book of Remembrance In the Service of Canada. The Books of Remembrance are administered by VAC. The Books of Remembrance are kept in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa where the public can view them. The names recorded in the Books are also available on the Canadian Virtual Memorial on the Internet. For more information visit www.vac- acc.gc.ca.

 

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