Latest news with #DunblanePrimarySchool
STV News
18 hours ago
- STV News
'Mum was a hero - she showed enormous courage protecting children in Dunblane shootings'
The daughter of a primary school teacher who was murdered almost 30 years ago in the Dunblane shooting has said her mum showed 'enormous courage' while trying to protect children in her class. Gwen Mayor died when gunman Thomas Hamilton burst into Dunblane Primary School on March 13 1996, killing the teacher and 16 children. Mrs Mayor is one of eight Scots to be posthumously awarded the Elizabeth Emblem, which was introduced last year for public servants who died in the line of duty. Her daughter Debbie says her mum showed 'enormous courage and bravery' in the face of danger on the day of the shooting. She told STV News: 'We don't know what happened that day but we know my mum and she would have done everything she could to have protected those children. 'One of the small solaces I get from my mum is that someone had to go with the children to look after them, so she's always looking after them still. That's really the only comfort I can get.' STV News Gwen Mayor died alongside 16 pupils in the shooting at Dunblane Primary School. Debbie has fond memories of her mother, describing her as 'a very vivacious person, very kind, very creative. Quite a gentle person, very sociable.' She said: 'I remember going with her to her classrooms, she used to go at the end of the summer, and she would be decorating her classrooms. 'She liked to make her mark on it, she'd have 'Mrs Mayor's Class' and she would put a lot of work into that. 'She used to play the piano for the kids, there was a lot of personality in what she did. 'A lot of ex-pupils have fond memories of her, as a special teacher. 'It's always nice to hear nice things about her that you haven't heard before. 'There was a story about how somebody she used to visit, I think it was an ex-colleague, and she had knitted a little cardigan, I think for her son. The son got in contact with me to say he still had this cardigan that my mum had knitted for him. 'It's nice to hear other people's memories.' In the 30 years since the Dunblane shootings, Debbie says she is always 'amazed and humbled' by those who remember her mother. STV News Daughter Debbie is proud of her mother Gwen's bravery and courage. Discovering her mum was to be recognised for her bravery with the Elizabeth Emblem, she said the family felt 'emotional' about the honour. 'Our lives were turned upside down forever. My mum never got to meet her grandchildren, she never saw my sister and I get married or graduate,' she said. 'It felt very emotional to find out she was going to receive the award. We are all very proud. We've lived with this for 30 years. 'The thing about the award is it recognises unsung heroes who aren't equipped to be in situations where their life is in danger. 'My mum was a teacher and we never lived in fear of her going to her job and never coming home. But that's what happened. 'She was faced with great danger and her instinct was to protect. She showed enormous courage and bravery.' STV News Debbie Mayor looks at newspaper coverage of mother Gwen's posthumous award In the years that followed the Dunblane shootings, the Snowdrop Campaign saw victims' families successfully lobby for a ban on the private possession of handguns. The petition, signed by more than 700,000 people, was named after the only flower blooming in Scotland at the time of the shooting. It is a legacy that follows the tragedy and Debbie hopes the Snowdrop Campaign has thwarted any threat of violence on that scale occurring again in a UK school. 'I would loathe anybody having to go through that again. These were innocent lives, innocent children. It's just catastrophic, and the impact of that on people's lives is far more far-reaching than what happened that day. 'If you can do anything to prevent that from happening again, I think it's worthwhile.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
ITV News
a day ago
- ITV News
Dunblane teacher and officer fatally stabbed on duty among those honoured with Elizabeth Emblem
A Dunblane primary school teacher killed while trying to protect her pupils during Britain's worst mass shooting, and a police officer stabbed to death in the line of duty, are among more than 100 public servants who have been awarded the Elizabeth Emblem. The award was created last year and is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack. In total, 106 people, including firefighters, overseas workers, and other public servants have been named as recipients of the prestigious emblem. The award is given to their next of kin at a ceremony, which King Charles hosted for the first round of recipients. Nina Mackay died aged 25 in October 1997, after she was stabbed by a violent and mentally unstable man while searching a property in East London. The street where it happened was changed to Nina Mackay Close. Her mother, Patricia Mackay, 80, said Nina had a 'great social conscience', adding 'everybody liked working with her because she was very hard working'. 'The Metropolitan Police have awarded her many accolades, and the commissioner at the time, just after she was killed, recommended her for the George Medal, which was turned down," said Ms Mackay. 'There's been so much that I'm very grateful for, but this will actually be something tactile that I could hold to remind me what a brave young woman she was," she added School teacher Gwen Mayor, 45, was killed in 1996 while protecting her pupils in the Dunblane Primary School massacre. Her husband, Rodney Mayor, said in a statement that the Mayor family were 'extremely proud and honoured to be receiving this award on behalf of Gwen'. They added: 'We always believed her actions that day deserved more recognition. 'You would have to have known Gwen to know that she would have done whatever trying to protect the children in her care. She paid the ultimate price for that commitment. 'Finally, we now feel that she has been honoured for what happened that day.' Firefighter John Liptrott, who died in 1968 while attempting to rescue three children who had entered a disused mineshaft, was also awarded the Emblem. Another recipient was Police Constable Dennis Cowell, who died in the River Thames in 1965 after a police launch capsized following a collision between three boats. Six people who contracted Covid-19 while working in healthcare were also recognised in the list. These included Dr Poornima Nair Balupuri, a GP living in Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, who died in 2020 doing essential frontline work. The families of 33 police officers and firefighters based in Northern Ireland will also receive the emblem. This includes the family of Constable Cyril Wilson, who was killed by the IRA in an ambush in 1974. Reserve Constable Robert Struthers, who died while serving in the Royal Ulster Constabulary after he was shot by two members of the Provisional IRA in 1978, was also awarded the emblem. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said: 'We owe an enduring debt to the public servants who give their lives to protect others. 'The Elizabeth Emblem is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid in service of our communities, it is a lasting symbol of our national gratitude for their incredible sacrifice.' The design of the Elizabeth Emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, circling around the Tudor Crown, which King Charles adopted when he took the throne. It is inscribed with 'For A Life Given In Service' on the front, and the name of its recipient will be inscribed on the reverse. The emblem will also include a pin to allow the award to be worn on clothing by the next of kin of the deceased. Families and next of kin of those who have died in public service are able to apply for an Elizabeth Emblem by making an application to the Cabinet Office. The award of the Elizabeth Emblem is available to those who died after January 1 1948, and mirrors the eligibility criteria for the Elizabeth Cross.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Eight Scots to be honoured with Elizabeth Emblem
William Oliver is one of eight Scots being honoured with the Elizabeth Emblem, which was introduced last year for public servants who died in the line of duty. Mr Oliver, who worked with the Glasgow Salvage Corps, died after a devastating fire and explosion at a whisky bond warehouse in Anderston during the night of March 28, 1960. He was killed as a blaze ripped through a warehouse that contained more than one million gallons of whisky and 30,000 gallons of rum. The temperatures caused casks to rupture, leading to a huge boiling liquid vapour explosion which claimed the lives of 19 people. Gwen Mayor, a primary school teacher who was killed while trying to protect her class in the Dunblane shooting almost three decades ago, is also being recognised. Mrs Mayor died when gunman Thomas Hamilton burst into Dunblane Primary School on March 13, 1996, killing the teacher and 16 children. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said he was 'particularly pleased' to see the honour go to Mrs Mayor. READ NEXT: Glasgow event to celebrate National Retail Workers' Day Her husband, Rodney Mayor, said: 'As a family, we are extremely proud and honoured to be receiving this award on behalf of Gwen. 'We always believed her actions that day deserved more recognition. You would have to have known Gwen to know that she would have done whatever trying to protect the children in her care. 'She paid the ultimate price for that commitment. Finally, we now feel that she has been honoured for what happened that day.' Firefighter Ewan Williamson, who died while responding to a pub fire in Edinburgh in July 2009, is also being recognised, as is Rod Moore, a retired paramedic from Falkirk who returned to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service during Covid and then contracted the virus, dying in November 2020. A list of 106 people across the UK who are to be honoured with the Elizabeth Emblem was published recently. Commenting on the list, First Minister John Sweeney said: 'I warmly welcome the awarding of the Elizabeth Emblem to these individuals and their families. 'This recognition enables us to remember their sacrifice and their lives dedicated to public service. "They made Scotland a better place for us all, and we continue to honour their memory.' READ NEXT: Axing of 65 Bus will create social isolation says Glasgow MP Speaking as the list was revealed, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said Britain owes 'an enduring debt to the public servants who give their lives to protect others'. He said: 'The Elizabeth Emblem is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid in service of our communities, it is a lasting symbol of our national gratitude for their incredible sacrifice. 'Every one of these brave public servants gave their life to protect others. They are people who stepped forward when most of us would step back, and they paid the ultimate price. 'I am particularly pleased that Dunblane teacher Gwen Mayor has been recognised. No one will ever forget the horror of the shooting at Dunblane Primary School in 1996, when Mrs Mayor was killed trying to protect her pupils. 'I hope that the families of all those recognised will take some comfort in knowing that their loved ones, and their service, have not been forgotten.' The Elizabeth Emblem was established in 2024 as a national form of recognition, with the award given to the next of kin of public servants who have lost their lives as a result of their duty. The honour is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack. READ NEXT: Dispute at Glasgow Airport could 'ground planes' this summer Also being recognised is firefighter Roderick Nicolson, who died in December 1995 after becoming trapped in five tonnes of sodium carbonate ash while attempting to rescue two workmen from a silo of chemical dust at Perth Harbour. Two Scottish police officers killed in the line of duty are also being recognised. Pc Paul North, who was known by his second name of Richard, of Tayside Police, died when the police car he was in was involved in a collision with another vehicle whose driver was under the influence of drink and drugs in Perth in March 1987. Pc Joseph Stewart Drake, of Stirling and Clackmannan Constabulary, was killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by officers intentionally struck his car as he tried to intercept it at Dennyloanhead near Falkirk in August 1967. The Elizabeth Emblem is also being given to the family of Alastair Soutar, who worked for HM Customs & Excise and was crushed between a customs boat and a smugglers' vessel while taking part in an operation to catch drug smugglers off the Caithness coast in July 1996.
Edinburgh Reporter
a day ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
The Elizabeth Emblem awarded to firefighter Ewan Williamson
Firefighter Ewan Williamson who died in service while fighting a fire in The Balmoral Bar on Dalry Road has been named as one of the recipients of the new Elizabeth Emblem. Ewan Williamson is remembered by the honour given to his next of kin along with seven other Scots including Gwen Mayor who was the Primary 1 schoolteacher killed by Thomas Hamilton along with 15 of her pupils in March 1996 in Dunblane Primary School. The design of the Emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, which surrounds the Tudor Crown. It is inscribed with 'For A Life Given In Service', and will have the name of the person for whom it is in memoriam inscribed on the reverse of the Emblem. It will include a pin to allow the award to be worn on clothing by the next of kin of the deceased. The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray said: 'I pay tribute to all of those Scots who have been recognised today. Every one of these brave public servants gave their life to protect others. They are people who stepped forward when most of us would step back, and they paid the ultimate price. 'I am particularly pleased that Dunblane teacher Gwen Mayor has been recognised. No-one will ever forget the horror of the shooting at Dunblane Primary School in 1996, when Mrs Mayor was killed trying to protect her pupils. 'I hope that the families of all those recognised will take some comfort in knowing that their loved ones, and their service, has not been forgotten.' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, said: 'We owe an enduring debt to the public servants who give their lives to protect others. 'The Elizabeth Emblem is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid in service of our communities, it is a lasting symbol of our national gratitude for their incredible sacrifice.' The First Minister said: 'I warmly welcome the awarding of The Elizabeth Emblem to these individuals and their families. 'This recognition enables us to remember their sacrifice and their lives dedicated to public service. They made Scotland a better place for us all and we continue to honour their memory.' The full list of Scottish public servants recognised are: Gwen Mayor, a teacher at Dunblane Primary School. Mrs Mayor was killed alongside 15 of her pupils on 13 March 1996. a teacher at Dunblane Primary School. Mrs Mayor was killed alongside 15 of her pupils on 13 March 1996. Roderick Nicolson, Tayside Fire and Rescue Service. Mr Nicolson, from Perth, died attempting to rescue two workmen from a silo of chemical dust at Perth Harbour. Whilst trying to free the workers Fireman Nicolson became trapped amid five tonnes of sodium carbonate ash. He died on 4 December 1995. Mr Nicolson, from Perth, died attempting to rescue two workmen from a silo of chemical dust at Perth Harbour. Whilst trying to free the workers Fireman Nicolson became trapped amid five tonnes of sodium carbonate ash. He died on 4 December 1995. Ewan Williamson, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service. Firefighter Williamson was responding to a fire at the Balmoral Bar public house on Dalry Road in Edinburgh when he became trapped in the basement level with the fire. He was unable to escape and fellow firefighters were unable to locate him for a significant period of time. Firefighter Williamson died on 12 July 2009. Firefighter Williamson was responding to a fire at the Balmoral Bar public house on Dalry Road in Edinburgh when he became trapped in the basement level with the fire. He was unable to escape and fellow firefighters were unable to locate him for a significant period of time. Firefighter Williamson died on 12 July 2009. Richard Paul North, Tayside Police . Constable North was killed when on duty as a result of a collision with another vehicle, while driving near Perth in a marked police car. The other vehicle had crossed from the other carriageway into the oncoming traffic, and the driver was found to be under the influence of drink and drugs. PC North died on 17 March 1987. . Constable North was killed when on duty as a result of a collision with another vehicle, while driving near Perth in a marked police car. The other vehicle had crossed from the other carriageway into the oncoming traffic, and the driver was found to be under the influence of drink and drugs. PC North died on 17 March 1987. William Oliver, of the Glasgow Salvage Corps. Mr Oliver died in the Cheapside Street Disaster, a fire in a whisky bond. The warehouse contained more than a million gallons of whisky and 30,000 gallons of rum. As the temperature of the fire increased, some of the casks ruptured, causing a huge boiling liquid vapour explosion. This instantly killed Mr Oliver and 18 others. Mr Oliver died on 28 March 1960. Mr Oliver died in the Cheapside Street Disaster, a fire in a whisky bond. The warehouse contained more than a million gallons of whisky and 30,000 gallons of rum. As the temperature of the fire increased, some of the casks ruptured, causing a huge boiling liquid vapour explosion. This instantly killed Mr Oliver and 18 others. Mr Oliver died on 28 March 1960. Joseph Stewart Drake, Stirling and Clackmannan Constabulary . Constable Drake was killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by other officers intentionally struck his car as he tried to intercept it at Dennyloanhead near Falkirk. PC Drake died on 11 August 1967. . Constable Drake was killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by other officers intentionally struck his car as he tried to intercept it at Dennyloanhead near Falkirk. PC Drake died on 11 August 1967. Rodney (Rod) Moore, of the Scottish Ambulance Service. A retired ambulance paramedic of 40 years' service, Mr Moore, from Falkirk, returned to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service to assist with the Covid-19 pandemic response. Mr Moore contracted Covid-19 in October 2020 and died on 21 November 2020. A retired ambulance paramedic of 40 years' service, Mr Moore, from Falkirk, returned to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service to assist with the Covid-19 pandemic response. Mr Moore contracted Covid-19 in October 2020 and died on 21 November 2020. Alastair Soutar, HM Customs & Excise. Mr Soutar was crushed between a HM Customs and Excise vessel 'The Sentinel' and a smugglers' vessel the 'Ocean Jubilee'. Mr Souter, from Dundee, was taking part in Operation Balvenie off the Caithness coast to apprehend drug smugglers. Mr Soutar was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness but died of his injuries on 29 July 1996. The next of kin may apply for the emblem to the Cabinet Office. Full details on the award, how to apply and who will be eligible are available here. Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Scots teacher murdered in Dunblane massacre to be honoured with Elizabeth Emblem
Gwen Mayor is one of eight Scots to be posthumously awarded the Elizabeth Emblem, which was introduced for public servants killed in the line of duty. A heroic teacher who was murdered almost 30 years ago while trying to protect her pupils during the Dunblane massacre has been recognised with a new honour. Gwen Mayor is one of eight Scots to be posthumously awarded the Elizabeth Emblem, which was introduced last year for public servants killed in the line of duty. Ian Murray, the Scottish Secretary, said he was "particularly pleased" to see the honour go to Mrs Mayor, who died when gunman Thomas Hamilton burst into Dunblane Primary School on March 13 1996, killing the teacher and 16 children. Firefighter Ewan Williamson, who died while responding to a pub fire in Edinburgh in July 2009, is also recognised, as is Rod Moore, a retired paramedic from Falkirk who returned to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service during Covid and then contracted the virus, dying in November 2020. William Oliver, a worker with the Glasgow Salvage Corps who died in the Cheapside Street disaster in 1960, is also included in what is only the second list of Elizabeth Emblem recipients. He was killed as a blaze ripped through a warehouse that contained more than one million gallons of whisky and 30,000 gallons of rum – with the temperature causing casks to rupture, leading to a huge boiling liquid vapour explosion which claimed his life and that of 18 others. Speaking as a list of 106 people across the UK being honoured was published, Labour minister Pat McFadden said Britain owes 'an enduring debt to the public servants who give their lives to protect others'. He said: 'The Elizabeth Emblem is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid in service of our communities, it is a lasting symbol of our national gratitude for their incredible sacrifice.' Murray paid tribute to the Scots being recognised, saying: 'Every one of these brave public servants gave their life to protect others. 'They are people who stepped forward when most of us would step back, and they paid the ultimate price. 'I am particularly pleased that Dunblane teacher Gwen Mayor has been recognised. No-one will ever forget the horror of the shooting at Dunblane Primary School in 1996, when Mrs Mayor was killed trying to protect her pupils. 'I hope that the families of all those recognised will take some comfort in knowing that their loved ones, and their service, has not been forgotten.' The Elizabeth Emblem was established last year as a national form of recognition, with the award given to the next of kin of public servants who have lost their lives as a result of their duty. The honour is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack. Also being recognised is firefighter Roderick Nicolson, who died in December 1995 after becoming trapped in five tonnes of sodium carbonate ash while attempting to rescue two workmen from a silo of chemical dust at Perth Harbour. Two Scottish police officers killed in the line of duty are also being recognised. PC Paul North, known as Richard, of Tayside Police died when the police car he was in was involved in a collision with another vehicle whose driver was under the influence of drink and drugs in Perth in March 1987. PC Joseph Stewart Drake, of Stirling and Clackmannan Constabulary, was killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by officers intentionally struck his car as he tried to intercept it at Dennyloanhead near Falkirk in August 1967. The Elizabeth Emblem is also being given to the family of Alastair Soutar, who worked for HM Customs & Excise and was crushed between a customs boat and a smugglers' vessel while taking part in an operation to catch drug smugglers off the Caithness coast in July 1996.
