The New Zealand Memorial Cross is awarded to the next ofkin of all New Zealand servicemen and women who were killed while on warservice or operational service overseas, or who subsequently died of woundsreceived while on war service or operational service overseas, since thecommencement of the Second World War. Two versions of the New Zealand Memorial Cross have beenstruck: one during the reign of King George VI, and one during the reign ofQueen Elizabeth II. The King George VI cross is worn from a thin purplecoloured ribbon suspended around the neck, while the Queen Elizabeth II crossis worn as a brooch. The King George VI New Zealand Memorial Cross has beenawarded to the families of the more than 11,000 personnel who died whileserving in the New Zealand Armed Forces during the Second World War.  The Queen Elizabeth II New Zealand MemorialCross has been awarded to the families of the 136 New Zealand militarypersonnel who have died while on operational service since 3 September 1945. Up to two New Zealand Memorial Crosses are issued to thefamily of each individual.  For deaths during the Second World War the first crosswas awarded in the late 1940s or the 1950s to the mother.  If the mother was deceased the first crosswas awarded to the father, or if he was also deceased to the eldest sister, orthe eldest brother if the military service person had no living sisters. Asecond cross was awarded to the widow, eldest daughter or eldest son (in thatorder of precedence). If the deceased military service person was not marriedand had no children only one Memorial Cross was issued. See: http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/f/f2.html Stuart ParkKerikeri, New [email protected]