Chamberlain welcomes introduction of the Elizabeth Emblem

George Barnsley, Chair of the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society, contacted former police officer Chamberlain about the cases of PC George Taylor and DS William Ross Hunt in 2022.

PC Taylor was murdered on duty in 1976 following a prisoner escape from Carstairs State Hospital. The police officers who eventually apprehended the prisoners were awarded George Medals, but an administrative error appeared to be responsible for the omission of a similar recognition for PC Taylor.

DC Hunt was murdered in Larkhall in 1983 during the arrest of an attempted murder suspect, where he protected other officers from attack. His family, like that of PC Taylor, had received no recognition for their loss in the line of duty until the recent awarding of the Brave@Heart award from First Minister Humza Yousaf in 2023. The new Elizabeth Emblem will be the first recognition of their sacrifice by the UK Government.

Chamberlain’s campaign in Westminster to support that of the families has included leading a debate in January 2023, meeting with ministers and civil servants to boost momentum and putting pressure on the Honours committee and the Prime Minister to provide more information on why the police officers failed to be recognised for so long.

The Elizabeth Emblem will be conferred on the bereaved families of police officers, fire fighters and other public servants by the King and, like the Elizabeth Cross for military personnel, will be backdated to 1948.

Speaking in a debate she sponsored in January 2023, Chamberlain said:

“It is not controversial to want to recognise the members of our emergency services who have shown particular bravery or have died in the course of serving our communities.

“We have long-standing awards for gallantry, sacrifice and service for those who have given to our country and people in all sorts of ways. However, there are those who have equally served their country and made sacrifices but who are not being recognised as they should.

George Barnsely, Chair of the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society, said:

“We at the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society are delighted that our courageous colleagues are now being honoured for their sacrifice. The families will hopefully take comfort in the fact that our sovereign is making this award to their loved ones.

“Our specific campaign was in support of Constable George Taylor and Detective Sergeant William Ross Hunt, of Strathclyde Police, and their families. Both officers were brutally murdered protecting our communities.

“We would specifically like to thank Wendy Chamberlain MP, her staff, Graham Simpson MSP and the other members of both parliaments who have supported us in this campaign. Without their support, this outcome could not have been achieved.

“We hope that the families can wear the Elizabeth Emblem with pride and

in memory of their loved one.”

Speaking after the introduction of the Elizabeth Emblem, Chamberlain added:

"I wholeheartedly welcome the Elizabeth Emblem to mark the sacrifices of those emergency service personnel who have lost their lives.

“It may feel like it is a long time coming. Indeed, I first called on the Government to act well over a year ago and have been pushing for progress since. But no one has waited longer than the families of Police Constable Taylor, who gave his life in 1976, and Detective Sergeant Hunt, in 1983.

"I have served in the police, as have many members of my family. I can only imagine what the Hunt and Taylor families have gone through on their campaigns for recognition, ignored for decades seemingly because of administrative errors.

“I hope the Elizabeth Emblem marks a turning point, where the sacrifices of these brave men - and so many other men and women - can be recognised."