The first Elizabeth Cross was presented yesterday to the widow of a soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Karen Upton received the medal during a dignified ceremony before the funeral of her husband, Warrant Officer Sean Upton (35), at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.

WO Upton, originally from Nottingham, died in an explosion as he was on foot patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand Province last month.

He had been in the Army for 19 years and had served in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, Cyprus and Bosnia.

Yesterday the soldier's wife, two children Ewan and Hollie and other family members gathered in a marquee next to the Garrison Memorial Church for the presentation ceremony.

Mrs Upton (32) was introduced to senior Army officials and other dignitaries before becoming the first soldier's widow to be presented with the Elizabeth Cross.

Pinning the medal to Mrs Upton's black and mauve satin dress, Lord Crathorne, Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, said: “It is a very special moment. It is the first time that the Elizabeth Cross has been awarded to the widow of a soldier killed in action.

“It is a very sad occasion, obviously, but this will be something, Karen, that you and your family will have forever.

“We as a nation owe much to servicemen like WO Upton who gave his life fighting for our security and freedom, but we all also owe a great debt to his family.”