A PROUD mother, whose son was one of the first soldiers to die in the Iraq war, has received a medal in his honour.

Theresa Evans from Llandudno was left devastated when her son Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, known as Welly to his friends, was killed in 2003.
Llywelyn, a former pupil at Ysgol John Bright, died when an American Sea Knight helicopter crashed in the Kuwaiti desert on the first day of the conflict.
 

This month Mrs Evans travelled to Plymouth with her son Lee, 29, who is also a British army soldier and survived when he boarded a different helicopter from the one which his brother was on.
 

Llywelyn’s death was recognised with the Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll. The medal was introduced last year and has been awarded to the families of brave Britons who died on operations or due to terrorism.


Mrs Evans, who endured further suffering when her husband Gordon died and her other son Dewi was killed in a car crash in 2008 on Christmas day, said: “I am very proud and honoured. I am proud of both the sons I have lost, Llywelyn and Dewi. I have found strength in other parents who have lost children, not just in war but in other situations and it has been good to speak to people who understand.

"When you cry they don’t ask why as they know, losing a child is every mother’s biggest fear,” she added.
 

Mrs Evans said the medal and scroll had a special meaning as it was presented in the name of the Queen. Although she did not meet the Queen when she received the award, she met her after the death of her son.

She said: “We must not forget that although she is the Queen, she is also a mother. She has seen the effects of war. It was wonderful to get the award.”


Mrs Evans launched charitable scheme Operation Welly last year with her friend Ann Forbes and has since sent more than 1000 boxes to soldiers in Afghanistan. The boxes contain items such as toiletries, cards and sweets.

She said: “I have so many letters from soldiers to say how thankful they are for the boxes. They even called a local radio station to say thank-you.
 

“One letter said that a bomb had blown up all the soldiers post. The next post they received was from Operation Welly and they were over the moon,” she added.
 

To support Operation Welly call 01492 874912, 01492 860452, 01492 871793 or send an e-mail to aforbes113@googlemail.com.