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YouTubeCanadian Military Medals and Decorations - Memorial Crosses
The Memorial Cross (more often referred to as the Silver Cross) was first instituted by Order-in-Council 2374, dated December 1, 1919. It was awarded to mothers and widows (next of kin) of Canadian soldiers who died on active duty or whose death was consequently attributed to such duty.
The crosses were sent automatically to mothers and wives who qualified, and can be worn by the recipients anytime, even though they were not themselves veterans. The cross is engraved with the name and service number of the son or husband.
Recent changes now allow Canadian Forces members and Veterans to designate up to three Memorial Cross recipients. This is specific to the Memorial Cross ERII. For more information on these changes see below or visit the Department of National Defence Web site (Opens in a New Window) . If you would like to receive a form to designate Memorial Cross recipients please call 1-866-522-2122.
What is the Memorial Cross?
The Memorial Cross is an award that has been granted since 1919 to the loved ones of Canadian armed forces personnel who died in service or whose death was attributed to their service. It is granted by the Government of Canada and is frequently referred to as the Silver Cross. In the past it has only been given to mothers and widows.
Memorial Cross ERIIThe Memorial Cross, the gift of Canada, was issued as a memento of personal loss and sacrifice on the part of widows and mothers of Canadian sailors and soldiers who died for their country during the war.*
Memorial Cross GRV
The Memorial Cross, the gift of Canada, was issued as a memento
of personal loss and sacrifice on the part of widows and mothers
of Canadian sailors and soldiers who died for their country during
the war.*
Memorial Cross GRVI
The Memorial Cross, the gift of Canada, was issued as a memento
of personal loss and sacrifice on the part of widows and mothers
of Canadian sailors and soldiers who died for their country during
the war.
*
* Additional information is available from the Honours and Awards Section, Veterans Affairs Canada, 66 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P4 Veterans Affairs Canada can issue and, when required, replace a Memorial Cross for any Veteran whose death was related to military service in wartime or a Special Duty Area up to the period of October 7, 2001. As of October 7, if the death is ruled to be related to authorized military service, three Memorial Crosses may be issued to family members or loved ones as designated by the member or by his or her estate. The changes will affect Veterans of the Korean War and Veterans with Special Duty Area service from 1950 to October 6, 2001 who were living as of December 12, 2008. As of this date, these Veterans can now designate any two individuals to receive a Memorial Cross in the event their subsequent death is ruled to be as a result of a pensioned condition from this service. If a Veteran does not complete and file a designation form, Veterans Affairs Canada will contact the executor of the estate to determine the recipients of the Memorial Cross. Any Veteran who is released from service on or after October 7, 2001, regardless of their service, may designate up to three Memorial Cross recipients in the event they die of their service-related injury or illness. Former members who completed a form while serving in the Canadian Forces must complete a new form for Veterans Affairs Canada. The criteria was updated to reflect the evolution of Canadian society and the nature of modern military service. The previous criteria for the Memorial Cross limited eligibility to deaths for service in special duty areas and recipients to mothers and widows only. This is not in keeping with modern needs. The criteria was updated at the request of the Minister of National Defence to retroactively include all deaths, either Special Duty Area service or regular service, that occurred since October 2001, a time when the Chief of Defence Staff issued preliminary orders to Canadian Forces units to participate in the international campaign against terrorism. This was to ensure all service-related deaths which occurred since were duly recognized and treated equitably. Those eligible to nominate two recipients include: Those eligible to nominate three recipients include:
What is Veterans Affairs Canada’s role in administering the Memorial Cross?
What do the changes to the Memorial Cross regulations mean for Veterans?
Why were the changes made and why the cut-off date of October 7, 2001?
Korea War Veterans whose death as a result of their service to Canada occurs after December 11, 2008.
Completed forms are to be sent to:
Former members who served after October 6, 2001, whose death as a result to their service to Canada occurs after December 11, 2008.
HO Client Records Operations
Veterans Affairs Canada
P.O. Box 7700
Charlottetown, PE C1A 8M9
