Medal is presented to Falklands widow

Christine Tinker, the widow of Lieutenant David Tinker, was presented with the Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll by the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Algernon Heber-Percy.

Lieutenant Tinker, from Clungunford, near Craven Arms, was a Royal Navy supply officer.

He was killed in action on June 12, 1982 – two days before the end of the Falklands War – when HMS Glamorgan was hit by an Exocet missile. He was 25.

The Elizabeth Cross is a commemorative medal given to the recognised next of kin of members of the British Armed Forces killed in action or as a result of a terrorist attack after the Second World War.

Yesterday's presentation at Shrewsbury Castle was introduced by the commander of Headquarters 143 West Midlands Brigade, Brigadier Gerhard Wheeler CBE, who is based at Copthorne Barracks in Shrewsbury.

Mr Heber-Percy said: "I am very, very proud and privileged to present this medal on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen."

Mrs Tinker, who still lives in the home she bought with Lieutenant Tinker just before they married 33 years ago, said: "It is very special. It is nice to have the recognition of the sacrifice that David made."

Mrs Tinker met her husband while they were both at university in Birmingham. He was already in the Royal Navy and she joined the officer training corp.

Also at the presentation were Mrs Tinker's brother Peter Daybell, David Tinker's brother Mark Tinker and Mrs Tinker's sister-in-law Helena Tinker.

When he was just 16, Lieutenant Tinker penned a poem called Resurrection. The poem was read out during yesterday's ceremony.

Mrs Tinker said: "He always wanted to be a writer and had he reached his retirement from the Royal Navy that is what he would have done. He was writing all the time he was in the Falklands.

"He did question whether the war should have happened but this did not stop him doing his duty. He was a remarkable man."