[3] Up to two crosses could be awarded to the family of each individual, and was intended primarily for widows and mothers.

[3] In September 1960, further regulations were published extending eligibility to conflicts since the Second World War.

[4] Awards have since been made relating to service in Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, East Timor and Afghanistan.

[2] The cross has been awarded to the families of more than 11,671 New Zealand service personnel who died in the Second World War,[2] with a further 136 relating to conflicts since 1945.

The reverse is plain, with most crosses engraved with the name, rank and service number of the person commemorated.