TREVOR Holmes and Craig Brelsford were generations apart but share a common bond as two young soldiers who were killed in the line of duty.

Forty years separate their deaths but today their bravery – and that of four other servicemen – was brought to the fore as relatives were presented with the Elizabeth Cross in their memory.

Sergeant Brelsford, of Chilwell, a member of the 2nd battalion of the Mercian Regiment, was on his second tour of Afghanistan. The 25-year-old was killed trying to rescue an injured comrade in September 2007 after heavy enemy fire in Helmand Province.

His mother Sue was being presented with the medal by Notts Lord Lieutenant Sir Andrew Buchanan at County Hall and a memorial scroll by Brigadier Andrew Williams, commander of 49 East Brigade.

The words ''very popular, outstanding, much potential and destined for further promotion'' were used in his citation.

Mrs Brelsford, 54, said: "I would sooner have my son back but he died doing the job he loved. This is a nice tribute. It's nice that we wives and mothers are being given something back. It's going to be a bit emotional."

Mrs Brelsford was joined by her sons Jamie, 22, and Chris, 19. Her husband Paul died from cancer two years ago.

"I am sorry his dad isn't around to see this," she said.

Sgt Brelsford's medals and the Military Cross his mum received in 2008 are on display in Nottingham Castle's regimental museum.

Mrs Brelsford said her heart goes out to all the families who have lost a loved one, including those of the two soldiers who died in an explosion in Afghanistan at the weekend.

It is nearly 43 years since Lance Corporal Trevor Holmes, 21, was shot dead by an unknown Arab terrorist in the former British colony of Aden.

His sister Yvonne Hillberg, 61, of Eastwood, was attending today's ceremony with her husband David, daughter Heather and son-in-law Christian. Her only regret is that her 86-year-old mother Myra didn't live long enough to witness the honour.

"She died in 2006. She always said that the lads in Aden were 'forgotten'. I used to say we've not forgotten them.''

Mrs Hillberg was 19 and living in Hull when she received the news of her brother's death. He was shot with his own rifle, while off duty, after putting the weapon down in a 'safe' book store.

"It was as if it was yesterday. I was at work and my mum came to tell me. It was unreal," said Mrs Hillberg. She contacted the War Office about her brother when she learnt of the commemorative cross which was instituted by the Queen last July.

"I am thrilled to bits. It is something he was entitled to. I think it's wonderful."

Mother-of-seven Lillian Meredith, whose son James was killed in 1972, said it was going to be a day of mixed feelings.

"I am delighted but it will bring back memories," said Mrs Meredith, who will be 91 on Friday. Her son was a 19-year-old rifleman in the Royal Green Jackets when he was shot by a sniper in Londonderry.

Mrs Meredith, of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, was being accompanied by her daughters Doreen and Barbara.

The family of Falklands hero Mark Stephens, 18, said it was an honour to accept the medal.

A steward on board HMS Antelope, he was killed when the ship was bombed in San Carlos Water in May 1982.

His mother Doreen Hudson, 64, of Mansfield Woodhouse, said: "It was just seven weeks after they sailed. The vicar came and knocked on my door at quarter to seven in the morning. Twenty-eight years on it's as clear as yesterday."

Mrs Hudson was joined by her family including her husband Dale and son Kelvyn.

An award was also made to the family of 22-year-old Corporal Leon Bush, of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment.

Within weeks of being deployed to Northern Ireland in 1982, Cpl Bush was killed by a bomb.

Cpl Bush, who had enlisted as a 16-year-old in Mansfield, had quickly progressed through the ranks. His brother Robert, 54, of Long Eaton, said: "I am honoured and privileged to accept this.''

The widow of Flight Lieutenant Arthur Dodson was receiving the Elizabeth Cross 46 years after his death. He was part of an RAF crew involved in operations in Borneo when their helicopter crashed in May 1963. All nine men on board were killed and were buried at the scene of the accident at Long Mererap.

At the ceremony with his widow Marjory, of Radcliffe-on-Trent, were her son Greg who is now retired but rose to the same rank as his father, Flight Lieutenant, in the RAF.

Sir Andrew Buchanan said: "The Elizabeth Cross is a tribute to all those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice – people who have laid down their lives for their country.

"Among those that have given their lives are several people from Nottinghamshire. We should all be proud that this great county has produced such brave people. We owe them so much."

lynette.pinchess@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk