THE family of a war hero who died in Afghanistan have received a medal in his honour.

The Elizabeth Cross has been awarded to the relatives of all forces personnel who have died on operations or as a result of an act of terrorism since the Second World War, along with a memorial scroll signed by the Queen.

Mitch Dolan and 21-year-old son Ashley, of Archers Way in Great Sutton, were presented with the solid silver medal awarded to her husband Capt Sean Dolan.

They are getting their lives back on track after Sean’s death in Afghanistan in June 2007.

Ashley had just begun university and struggled to cope with the loss, ending his studies shortly after. But now he is working at Vue cinema in Cheshire Oaks while mum Mitch has recently re-entered the world of work at a newsagent in Chester.

The 40-year-old died instantly from fragmentation wounds to the chest caused by a mortar round.

Mitch, who has lived in Great Sutton since Sean was moved to the Dale Barracks in 2002, said: “It’s a very nice medal. His name, rank and number are on the back.”

It has been a difficult time for Mitch and her son over the past three years since Sean’s death.

She added: “Ashley started university but it was a difficult time. He’s just looking to get back into it.

“I’ve got a little job to get me back into the real world. I didn’t work for 18 months.

“It’s the shock more than anything else. You always think he’s invincible, you think nothing is ever going to happen to him. You always think it’s going to be the younger ones.

“I never worried about him because he was so professional and he knew his stuff. It just shows that it doesn’t matter what rank you are.

“It woke a lot of people up that it can happen to people like that.

“It’s been very tough, really tough. But we’re getting there now.”