RARE QE2 Era New Zealand MEMORIAL CROSS Sterling SILVER K. I. A. Medal Kiwi ANZAC

  
This is an EXCEPTIONALLY RARE Medal that has only been "awarded" 136 times. This example is for awarding during the reign of our CURRENT MONARCH Queen Elizabeth the 2nd (long may she reign as we don't want Big Ears for our King). NO soldier EVER wanted to be awarded this decoration....... As it is only awarded posthumously :. Among all the British Commonwealth nations?

ONLY Canada and New Zealand chose to honour their war dead's ULTIMATE SACRIFICE with this medal. The Canadian Memorial Cross has MAPLE LEAVES on the tips of their cross, while this the New Zealand version displays our National Plant THE SILVER FERN as worn by our mighty All Black's RUGBY Team and all our national sports teams.

This example was DIE STRUCK from STERLING SILVER and would normally bear the name of the unfortunate recipient. BECAUSE there are a PLAGUE of REPRODUCTIONS cast FAKES! Of the more "common" WW2 era example of the New Zealand Memorial Cross. ONLY the QE2 era example "specmen" marked, pin-back award is offered in this listing the ribbon-suspended (WW2 era) example is for illustrative purposes ONLY and is not available for sale. The New Zealand Memorial Cross is awarded to the next of kin of all New Zealand servicemen and women who were killed while on war service or operational service overseas, or who subsequently died of wounds received while on war service or operational service overseas, since the commencement of the Second World War.

Two versions of the New Zealand Memorial Cross have been struck: one during the reign of King George VI, and one during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The King George VI cross is worn from a thin purple coloured ribbon suspended around the neck, while the Queen Elizabeth II cross is worn as a brooch. The King George VI New Zealand Memorial Cross has been awarded to the families of the more than 11,000 personnel who died while serving in the New Zealand Armed Forces during the Second World War. The Queen Elizabeth II New Zealand Memorial Cross has been awarded to the families of the 136 New Zealand military personnel who have died while on operational service since 3 September 1945.

Up to two New Zealand Memorial Crosses are issued to the family of each individual. For deaths during the Second World War the first cross was awarded in the late 1940s or the 1950s to the mother.

If the mother was deceased the first cross was awarded to the father, or if he was also deceased to the eldest sister, or the eldest brother if the military service person had no living sisters. A second cross was awarded to the widow, eldest daughter or eldest son (in that order of precedence). If the deceased military service person was not married and had no children only one Memorial Cross was issued. The item "RARE QE2 Era New Zealand MEMORIAL CROSS Sterling SILVER K. Medal Kiwi ANZAC" is in sale since Monday, December 30, 2019.

This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\Great Britain\Medals, Pins & Ribbons". The seller is "phillip_in_new_zealand" and is located in Auckland (aprox. 12,000 "clicks" from USA). This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Modified Item: No
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom