The mother of a Royal Navy engineer who died in the Falklands War has received a special new award to commemorate her loss.

Patricia Stockwell, 91, lost her son Geoffrey when the HMS Coventry was struck by Argentinian bombers on May 25, 1982.

He was 25-years-old and one of 19 crew to die in the air assault which sank the ship.

Now this mother, who lives at the Miramar Nursing Home in Reculver Road, Beltinge, has received the newly-created Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll.

It is an award to the next of kin of those British servicemen and women who have lost their lives in conflict or terrorism since the Second World War.

It is not a posthumous medal for the fallen, but an emblem to demonstrate tangible recognition for Service families for their loss.

Geoffrey grew up in Herne Bay and went to Kent College. His father, the late Leslie Stockwell was a city councillor and Sheriff of Canterbury.

He became a petty officer in the Royal Navy but was also a talented hockey player who was in the combined forces team.

His sister, Ruth Coppins of Station Road, Herne Bay, attended the recent award presentation ceremony in Maidstone with her husband, Roy and two sons because her mother was too frail to go.

But the Ministry of Defence arranged for two senior officers to go the home in Herne Bay to personally hand the award to Mrs Stockwell.

Mrs Coppins said: “I went to the presentation, where there were 19 other families, because I just wanted to make sure we got it.

“But it was so kind of the MoD to send the senior officers to Herne Bay.

“My mother was so proud and honoured to receive it. I was very close to my brother - he was such fun and we were like two halves.

"We had to get used to life without him but we still think of him most days. It doesn’t really get much easier.

“For my mother, he was her only son and it was especially hard which is why getting the award was so emotional for us all.”

She added: “It really is a beautiful solid silver cross and she was so proud to wear it.”

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