Latest news with #GwenMayor
STV News
5 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
BBC News
10 hours ago
- BBC News
Teacher killed in Dunblane massacre among Scots to receive Elizabeth Emblem
A primary school teacher who was killed while trying to protect her class in the Dunblane shooting in 1996 has been recognised with a new Mayor 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 is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or a terrorist husband, Rodney Mayor, said her family were "extremely proud and honoured" to receive the award on her behalf. He said: "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." On 13 March 1996, Thomas Hamilton entered Dunblane Primary School with four handguns and 743 rounds of opened fire on children who had been skipping round the gym hall, killing 16 pupils as well as Mrs Mayor, before turning the gun on attack took between three and four remains the deadliest firearms atrocity ever committed in the affected spoke of their determination not to be defined by the events in a BBC documentary 20 years Secretary Ian Murray said he was "particularly pleased" to see the honour go to Mrs said: "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." Another recipient of the Elizabeth Emblem is Rod Moore, from Falkirk, who had retired as a paramedic after 40 years with the Scottish Ambulance of a sense of duty and a love for the job, he went back to work during the Covid pandemic at the age of contracted the virus and became seriously ill very quickly. He died in November wife Clare told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that Rod worked very hard, loved his patients and would be "really chuffed" about the award. "He was the funniest man in the world," she said. "He made me laugh every day. He was a great dad to Craig and we both miss him so much."Because of the pandemic, he knew that he had to be there to help."Within a week of testing positive for Covid, Rod was taken into intensive care where he stayed for about four and son Craig could not visit due to restrictions and had not received phone calls from doctors - so Rod, matter of factly, kept them up to date with his condition."He kind of took control," said Clare. "He had phoned me on the Tuesday to say I would need to prepare myself. As naïve as I was then, I thought I had weeks yet."It wasn't until the Friday night that we got the phone call from one of the consultants to say we could go and see him, that he was very sick. "I asked that we would be there at the end, I didn't want him on his own. He died at 01:20. That was the last time I seen him."Clare and Craig are now preparing to receive the award on Rod's behalf."I wish he was here, I'd rather have him here," she added. "I've got all my memories, and I just keep them." Sacrifice remembered Two Scottish police officers and two firefighters killed in the line of duty are among the other Scots being 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 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 Roderick Nicolson 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 firefighter Ewan Williamson died while responding to a fire at the Balmoral Bar in Edinburgh in July 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 Oliver of the Glasgow Salvage Corps died at the Cheapside Street whisky bond fire on 28 March 1960. He was instantly killed alongside 18 others when some casks ruptured causing a massive boiling liquid expanding vapour Minister John Swinney welcomed the award going to the eight Scots, saying: "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."
Glasgow Times
11 hours 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.
Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Daily Record
Dunblane hero teacher recognised with special honour after giving life to others
Former Dunblane Primary teacher Gwen Mayor has been named as one of the latest names on the Elizabeth Emblem List - created to recognise those who have died in the line of duty. Heroic teacher Gwen Mayor has been recognised with one of the country's highest honours for public service – almost three decades after she was killed during the Dunblane Tragedy while protecting her pupils. She is named in the second ever Elizabeth Emblem List, created in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The recognition is awarded to families of Scottish public servants who have died in the line of duty. Brave Gwen died while trying to protect her primary one pupils at Dunblane Primary who had been preparing for a PE lesson when evil struck on March 13, 1996. She was killed instantly when she was shot as she protected youngsters from a gunman. In total, 17 people were killed – including 16 pupils, aged between five and six, and Gwen. The gunman then took his own life. Earlier this year, Gwen's daughter Debbie spoke out in a bid to safeguard a charitable trust set up in her mum's memory. The Gwen Mayor Memorial Trust – set up by the education union the Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS) - was established to provide financial support for projects in arts, culture, music or sport and applications - from primary schools across Scotland. Debbie hoped to encourage more applications to the trust and to attract trustee membership. Gwen, however, is not the only local honoured on the Elizabeth Emblem List. Also recognised is Rodney (Rod) Moore, a retired ambulance paramedic of 40 years' service, who returned to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service to assist with the Covid-19 pandemic response but contracted Covid-19 in October 2020 and died on 21 November 2020. Joseph Stewart Drake meanwhile, of Stirling and Clackmannan Constabulary, 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. The Elizabeth Emblem 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. A total of 106 public servants who died in service from across the United Kingdom are being recognised in this second published List. 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.' The 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 Elizabeth Emblem was established last year as a national form of recognition. 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.
Daily Record
17 hours 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.
