GRAHAM Shaw’s family received the Elizabeth Cross yesterday.

The award was introduced last year to honour the relatives of soldiers killed in action.

Mrs Shaw received a silver button, which can be worn at all times, and a larger silver broach for ceremonial occasions.

Unusually, the family were also presented with two memorial scrolls signed by the Queen – one for Lance-Cpl Shaw’s parents in Bulgaria and the other for his sister Joanne in England.

The Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Dr Ingrid Roscoe – who represents the Queen in the county – made the presentation yesterday morning at Bowcliffe Hall near Wetherby.

She gave her condolences to the family and said that, although Lance-Cpl Shaw’s life had been short, it had been lived to the full.

Speaking afterwards, Dr Roscoe explained the award. She said: “The Elizabeth Cross is given to the next of kin as a mark of national recognition for the loss of a loved one.

“The first cross was given out last August. Up to now they have been given out to families of casualties from the Afghan War, but in time they will be given to families of soldiers killed in any conflict since the Second World War.”

Dr Roscoe spoke to Lance-Cpl Shaw’s relatives after the ceremony.

She said: “I got the impression that they are a strong family, they are highly-intelligent rational people which helps.

“They are all pulling together.”