Home Page Haverhill News

The family of Corporal Keith Haylock of Steeple Bumpstead has been awarded the Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll in recognition of his death on active service with The Royal Norfolk Regiment nearly 55 years ago.

Keith died aged 19 in a forest fire in the Troodos Mountains, Cyprus, on June 17, 1956, due to an act of terrorism, along with four other colleagues of his own regiment.

He was carrying out his National Service and was among some of the last British conscripts to lose their lives in service of their country.

Keith's five sisters, Margaret Bruty, Gill Davis, Sandra Bentley, Jac Hart and Tanis Reynolds, attended a moving ceremony at Wattisham Station, Suffolk, on Wednesday, January 19.

The Elizabeth Cross was presented to the family by the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Lord Tollemache, on behalf of HM The Queen, and the Memorial Scroll by 49 (East) Brigade Commander, Brigadier Andrew Williams OBE.

The Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll has been approved by HM The Queen to provide recognition for the families of Armed Forces personnel who have died on operations or as a result of an act of terrorism since 1948.