THEY will never be forgotten.

And that was the case for the families of three local servicemen who lost their lives on active service.

They were presented with the Elizabeth Cross in their memories.

One of them came 57 years after the tragic loss of life for a Huddersfield soldier in Korea in 1953.

But the families of all three men described receiving the Elizabeth Cross as a fitting tribute to their heroes.

Kathleen Cockcroft, from Holmfirth, was presented with the Elizabeth Cross in recognition of the loss of her husband, Private Roy Gibson, who was killed in Korea while on national service in 1953.

Kathryn Dearnley and her daughter Joanne were presented with the honour in recognition of the loss of husband and father Lance-Corporal Michael Dearnley who was killed while on an operational tour of Northern Ireland in 1977.

And Peter Brierley, from Batley, was presented with the award in recognition of the loss of his son, Lance-Corporal Shaun Brierley, 28, who was killed while on operation in Iraq in 2003.

It was 57 years ago that Kathleen Cockcroft was told her husband Private Roy Gibson had tragically died. She was eight months pregnant at the time.

Private Gibson joined the British Army in July 1952 and embarked for Hong Kong with the 1st Battalion The Wiltshire Regiment.

In February 1953 he was deployed to Korea and transferred to the 1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.

In May 1953 the Battalion was deployed to “The Hook” a ridge near the Imhjin River and a place of great tactical importance. The Chinese launched a major offensive to capture The Hook and subjected the area to a heavy artillery barrage reminiscent of the First World War.

The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment won the Battle Honour ‘The Hook’ at this battle. But on May 24, 1953, Private Gibson died as a result of the injuries he sustained during the artillery attack.

Mrs Cockcroft said yesterday: “The ceremony was a great way to remember and recognise Roy’s life.

“It was a privilege to receive this award and I cannot thank everyone involved enough for organising the event.”

Lance-Corporal Dearnley was born in Marsden in December 1947 and joined the British Army in September 1969, enlisting into the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, serving in Germany.

On May 31, 1977, while on an operational tour of Northern Ireland, Lance-Cpl Dearnley was travelling in an armoured car with his unit, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, which had been tasked with defusing an explosive device planted by Irish republican terrorists in Londonderry.

En-route to the scene the team passed a crowd of civilians who surged into the path of the armoured car. The driver swerved to avoid causing casualties and the vehicle turned over. Lance-Cpl Dearnley died as a result.

His daughter Joanne was just six years old at the time.

Mrs Dearnley said on receiving the award: “Joanne was only six years old when her father died, but the loss is still felt by both of us just as closely now as it was over 30 years ago.

“It has been a very memorable and touching ceremony for us and we’re both very proud and honoured to receive this medal.”

The family of Lance-Cpl Shaun Brierley were also touched by the ceremony.

His father Peter Brierley, a staunch peace campaigner, said: “We are so proud of Shaun and feel humble that he finally has received the recognition he deserves.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in organising today’s ceremony, it was a very fitting tribute to Shaun.”

Lance-Cpl Brierley, born in Batley in 1974, joined the Royal Corps of Signals in 1993. He served in Germany, Poland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Oman and Canada.

In February 2003, Lance-Cpl Brierley was deployed to Iraq, serving as a member of 212 Signal Squadron, providing communications for Headquarters 1st UK Armoured Division as a Radio Systems Operator.

On March 30, 2003, during the fighting phase of Operation TELIC, Lance-Cpl Brierley was the vehicle commander of a Wolf Land Rover when it collided with an obstruction.

He tragically died from the injuries sustained.