Victoria Cross
Obverse of the medal and ribbon. Ribbon: 32 mm, crimson (blue ribbon for naval awards 1856–1918).
Awarded by some British Empire/Commonwealth countries
Type	Military decoration
Eligibility	Some British Empire/Commonwealth and allied Military personnel. The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. (Eligibility has varied over time. )
Awarded for	". . . most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. "[1]
Status	Currently awarded.
Description	Bronze Cross pattée with Crown and Lion Superimposed, and motto: 'For Valour'
Statistics
Established	29 January 1856
First awarded	1856
Last awarded	2006
Total awarded	1,356
Distinct recipients	1,353
Precedence
Same	George Cross
Next (lower)	Conspicuous Gallantry Cross

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. A cross pattée (also known as a "cross pattee" "cross patty" or "cross formy" or in German "Tatzenkreuz" is a type of Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. Year 1856 ( MDCCCLVI) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year The George Cross ( GC) is the highest Civil decoration of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross ( CGC) is a second level Military decoration of the United Kingdom armed forces. A military decoration is a decoration given to Military personnel or units for Heroism in battle or distinguished service The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. It takes precedence over all other orders, decorations and medals. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and civilians under military command, and is presented to the recipient by the British monarch during an investiture held at Buckingham Palace. Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in Armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The monarchy Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch. It is the joint highest award for bravery in the United Kingdom with the George Cross, which is the equivalent honour for valour not in the face of the enemy. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The George Cross ( GC) is the highest Civil decoration of the Commonwealth of Nations. ^[2] However, the VC is higher in order of precedence and would be worn first by an individual who had been awarded both decorations (which has not so far occurred).

The VC was introduced on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria to reward acts of valour during the Crimean War. Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. Year 1856 ( MDCCCLVI) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland The Crimean War, also known in Russia as the Eastern War (Восточная война Vostochnaya Vojna) (March 1854–February 1856 was fought Since then the medal has been awarded 1,356 times to 1,353 individual recipients. Only 13 medals, nine to the British Army and four to the Australian Army have been awarded since the start of the Korean War. The traditional explanation of the source of the gunmetal from which the medals are struck is that it derives from Russian cannon captured at the siege of Sevastopol. Gunmetal is a type of Bronze &ndash an Alloy of Copper, Tin, and Zinc. | NOTE Throughout this article "cannon" is used as BOTH the || singular and plural Recent research has thrown doubt on this story, suggesting a variety of origins. ^[3] Due to its rarity, the VC is highly prized and the medal can reach over £400,000 at auction. The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency ^[4] There are a number of public and private collections devoted to it, most notably that of Lord Ashcroft, which contains over one-tenth of the total VCs awarded. Michael Anthony Ashcroft Baron Ashcroft, KCMG (born 4 March 1946) is a British businessman and Politician. ^[5]

Origin

In 1854, after 40 years of peace, Britain found itself fighting a major war against Russia. The Crimean War was one of the first wars with modern reporting, and the dispatches of William Howard Russell described many acts of bravery and valour by British servicemen that went unrewarded. The Crimean War, also known in Russia as the Eastern War (Восточная война Vostochnaya Vojna) (March 1854–February 1856 was fought William Howard Russell ( 28 March, 1821 - 11 February, 1907) was an Irish reporter with The Times, and is considered ^[6]

Before the Crimean War, there was no official standardised system for recognition of gallantry within the British armed forces. Officers were eligible for an award of one of the junior grades of the Order of the Bath and brevet promotions whilst a Mention in Despatches existed as an alternative award for acts of lesser gallantry. The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British Order of chivalry founded by George In the UK and US military brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a Commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily but usually without receiving Mentioned in Despatches (MID is a Military award for gallantry or otherwise commendable service This structure was very limited; in actual practice awards of the Order of the Bath were confined to officers of field rank. A field officer or field grade officer is an Army, Marine, or Air force Commissioned officer senior in rank to a company officer ^[7] Brevet promotions or Mentions in Despatches were largely confined to those who were under the immediate notice of the commanders in the field, generally members of the commander's own staff. ^[8]

Other European countries had awards that did not discriminate against class or rank; France awarded the Légion d'honneur (Legion of Honour) and The Netherlands gave the Order of William. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands The Military William Order, or often named Military Order of William ( Dutch: Militaire Willems-Orde Abbreviation: MWO is the oldest and highest There was a growing feeling amongst the public and in the Royal Court that a new award was needed to recognise incidents of gallantry that were unconnected with a man's lengthy or meritorious service. Queen Victoria issued a Warrant under the Royal sign-manual on 29 January 1856^[6][9] (gazetted 5 February 1856)^[9] that officially constituted the VC. Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Most often the term warrant refers to a specific type of Authorization; a Writ issued by a competent officer usually a Judge or Magistrate The royal sign manual is the formal name given in the United Kingdom to the autograph signature of the Sovereign Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. Year 1856 ( MDCCCLVI) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the British government, and the most important among such official journals in the UK in which certain Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France. Year 1856 ( MDCCCLVI) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year The order was backdated to 1854 to recognise acts of valour during the Crimean War. The Crimean War, also known in Russia as the Eastern War (Восточная война Vostochnaya Vojna) (March 1854–February 1856 was fought ^[10]

Queen Victoria had instructed the War Office to strike a new medal that would not recognise birth or class. The War Office was a former department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1963 when The medal was meant to be a simple decoration that would be highly prized and eagerly sought after by those in the military services. ^[11] To maintain its simplicity, Queen Victoria, under the guidance of Prince Albert, vetoed the suggestion that the award be called The Military Order of Victoria and instead suggested the name Victoria Cross. The original warrant stated that the Victoria Cross would only be awarded to soldiers who have served in the presence of the enemy and had performed some signal act of valour or devotion. ^[12] The first ceremony was held on 26 June 1857 where Queen Victoria invested 62 of the 111 Crimean recipients in a ceremony in Hyde Park. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian is killed during the retreat from the Sassanid Empire. Click here for Indian Rebellion of 1857 Year 1857 ( MDCCCLVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the ^[6]

It was originally intended that the VCs would be cast from the bronze cascabels of two cannons that were captured from the Russians at the siege of Sevastopol. Bronze is any of a broad range of Copper alloys, usually with Tin as the main additive but sometimes with other elements such as Phosphorus | NOTE Throughout this article "cannon" is used as BOTH the || singular and plural Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending ^[13][14][15] The historian John Glanfield has since proven through the use of x-rays of older Victoria Crosses that the metal used for VCs is in fact from antique Chinese guns and not of Russian origin. ^[3][14][16] One theory is that the guns were originally Chinese weapons but the Russians captured them and reused them at Sevastopol. It was also thought that some medals made during the First World War were composed of metal captured from different Chinese guns during the Boxer Rebellion but the original metal was used after the war. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All The Boxer Rebellion, or Boxer Movement, was an uprising by members of the Chinese Society of Right and Harmonious Fists against foreign influence It is also believed that another source of metal was used between 1942 and 1945 to create five Second World War VCs when the Sevastopol metal went missing. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including ^[3]

The barrels of the cannon in question are stationed outside the Officers' Mess at the Royal Artillery Barracks at Woolwich. The Royal Artillery Barracks at Woolwich in South East London is the "home" of the Royal Artillery. Woolwich (ˈwʊlɪtʃ or /ˈwʊlɪdʒ/ is a suburb in south-east London, England in the London Borough of Greenwich, on the south side of the River The remaining portion of the only remaining cascabel, weighing 358 oz (10 kg), is stored in a vault maintained by 15 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps at Donnington, Telford. Royal Logistic Corps is the British Army Corps that provides the logistic support for the Army For other places named Donnington see Donnington Donnington is a Suburb of the New town of Telford. It can only be removed under armed guard. It is estimated that approximately 80 to 85 more VCs could be cast from this source. A single company of jewellers, Hancocks of London, has been responsible for the production of every VC awarded since its inception. Hancocks is a retail Jeweller in London, founded on 1 January 1849 by Charles F ^[17]

Appearance

The front and back of Richard Turner's VC. Lieutenant General Sir Richard Ernest William Turner VC, KCB, KCMG, DSO ( July 25, 1871 &ndash June 19

The decoration is a cross pattée, 41 mm high, 36 mm wide, bearing a crown surmounted by a lion, and the inscription FOR VALOUR. A cross pattée (also known as a "cross pattee" "cross patty" or "cross formy" or in German "Tatzenkreuz" is a type of ^[18] This was originally to have been FOR BRAVERY, until it was changed on the recommendation of Queen Victoria, who thought some might erroneously consider that only the recipients of the VC were brave in battle. Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ^[14] The decoration, suspension bar and link weigh about 0. 87 troy ounces (27 g). Troy weight is a system of units of Mass customarily used for Precious metals Black powder, and Gemstones Named after Troyes ^[19]

The cross is suspended by a ring from a seriffed "V" to a bar ornamented with laurel leaves, through which the ribbon passes. Origins & etymology Serifs are thought to have originated in the Roman alphabet with inscriptional lettering —words carved into stone in Roman antiquity The reverse of the suspension bar is engraved with the recipient's name, rank, number and unit. ^[11] On the reverse of the medal is a circular panel on which the date of the act for which it was awarded is engraved in the centre. ^[11]

The ribbon is crimson, 38 mm (1. 5 inches) wide. The original (1856) specification for the award stated that the ribbon should be red for army recipients and blue for naval ones. ^[20] However the dark blue ribbon was abolished soon after the formation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common On 22 May 1920 King George V signed a warrant that stated all recipients would now receive a red ribbon and the living recipients of the naval version were required to exchange their ribbons for the new colour. Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar ^[21] Although the Army warrants state the colour as being red it is defined by most commentators as being crimson or "wine-red". ^[22]

Awarding the medal

The Victoria Cross is awarded for

A recommendation for the VC is normally issued by an officer at regimental level and has to be supported by three witnesses, although this has been waived on occasion. The structure of the British Army is broadly similar to that of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, being divided into two Commands as top-level budget ^[23] The recommendation is then passed up the military hierarchy until it reaches the Secretary of State for War, now known as the Secretary of State for Defence. A command hierarchy is a group of people committed to carrying out orders "from the top" that is of Authority. The position of Secretary of State for War, commonly called War Secretary, was a British Cabinet -level position first applied to Henry Dundas The Secretary of State for Defence is the senior United Kingdom government minister in charge of the Ministry of Defence. The recommendation is then laid before the monarch who approves the award with his or her signature. Victoria Cross awards are always promulgated in the London Gazette with the single exception of the award to the American Unknown Soldier in 1921. The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the British government, and the most important among such official journals in the UK in which certain The Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, although it has never been officially named is a monument dedicated to American servicemen who have ^[24] The Victoria Cross warrant makes no specific provision as to who should actually present the medals to the recipients. Queen Victoria indicated that she would like to present the medals in person and she presented 185 medals out of the 472 gazetted during her reign. Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Including the first 62 medals presented at a parade in Hyde Park on 26 June 1857 by Queen Victoria, nearly 900 awards have been personally presented to the recipient by the reigning British monarch. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian is killed during the retreat from the Sassanid Empire. Click here for Indian Rebellion of 1857 Year 1857 ( MDCCCLVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Nearly 300 awards have been presented by a member of the royal family or by a civil or military dignitary. About 150 awards were either forwarded to the recipient or next of kin by registered post or no details of the presentations are known. ^[25]

Originally, the VC could not be awarded posthumously. Between the Indian Mutiny and 1897 and the beginning of the Second Boer War the names of six officers and men were published in the London Gazette with a memorandum stating they would have been awarded the Victoria Cross had they survived. See also First Boer War,, South African Wars (1879-1915 The Second Boer War ( Dutch: Tweede Boerenoorlog, Afrikaans: A further three notices were published in the London Gazette in September 1900 and April 1901 for gallantry in the Second Boer War. See also First Boer War,, South African Wars (1879-1915 The Second Boer War ( Dutch: Tweede Boerenoorlog, Afrikaans: In a partial reversal of policy, six posthumous Victoria Crosses, all for South Africa including the three officers and men mentioned in the notices in 1900 and 1901 were granted on 8 August 1902. Events 1220 - Sweden is defeated by Estonian tribes in the Battle of Lihula. Year 1902 ( MCMII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Five years later in 1907, the posthumous policy was completely reversed and medals were sent to the next of kin of the six officers and men. The awards were mentioned in notices in the Gazette dating back to the Indian Mutiny. The Victoria Cross warrant was not amended to include posthumous awards until 1920 but one quarter of all awards for World War I were posthumous. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All ^[26]

In the case of a gallant and daring act being performed by a squadron, ship's company or a detached body of men (such as marines) in which all men are deemed equally brave and deserving of the Victoria Cross then a ballot is drawn. The officers select one officer, the NCOs select one individual and the private soldiers or seamen select two individuals. ^[27] In all 46 awards have been awarded by ballot with 29 of the awards during the Indian Mutiny. The Indian Rebellion of 1857 began as a mutiny of Sepoys of British East India Company 's army on the 10th of May 1857 in the town of Meerut, Four further awards were granted to Q Battery, Royal Horse Artillery at Korn Spruit on 31 March 1900 during the Second Boer War. The Royal Horse Artillery (RHA is a regiment in the British Army. Sanna’s Post (aka Korn Spruit) was an engagement fought during the Second Boer War (1899-1902 between the British Empire and the Boers Events 307 - After divorcing his wife Minervina, Constantine marries Fausta, the daughter of the retired Roman Emperor Year 1900 ( MCM) was an exceptional Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar See also First Boer War,, South African Wars (1879-1915 The Second Boer War ( Dutch: Tweede Boerenoorlog, Afrikaans: The final ballot awards for the Army were the six awards to the Lancashire Fusiliers at W Beach during the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 although three of the awards were not gazetted until 1917. The Lancashire Fusiliers was a British Infantry Regiment that was amalgamated with other Fusilier regiments in 1968 to form the Royal Gallipoli peninsula (Gelibolu Yarımadası is located in Turkish Thrace, the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles Events 1607 - Eighty Years' War: The Dutch fleet destroys the anchored Spanish fleet at Gibraltar. Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The final seven ballot awards were the only naval ballot awards with three awards to two Q-Ships in 1917 and four awards for the Zeebrugge Raid in 1918. Mystery Ship redirects here For the 1917 film serial see The Mystery Ship. ||-||} The Zeebrugge Raid, which took place on April 23[[ 918]] was an attempt by the British Royal Navy to neutralize the key Belgian The provision for awards by ballot is still included in the Victoria Cross warrant but there have been no further awards since 1918. ^[23]

Between 1858 and 1881 the Victoria Cross could be awarded for actions taken "under circumstances of extreme danger" not in the face of the enemy. ^[28] Six such awards were made during this period - five of them for a single incident (a shipwreck off the Andaman Islands in 1867). The Andaman Islands are a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, and are part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory of India. ^[29] In 1881, the criteria were changed again and the VC was only awarded for acts of valour "in the face of the enemy". ^[29] Due to this it has been suggested by many historians including Lord Ashcroft that the changing nature of warfare will result in fewer VCs being awarded. ^[30] The prevalence of more remote fighting techniques has meant that the opportunity to carry out acts of bravery are diminishing. Since 1940, military personnel who have distinguished themselves for gallantry not in the face of the enemy have been awarded the George Cross, which ranks immediately after the VC in the Order of Wear. The George Cross ( GC) is the highest Civil decoration of the Commonwealth of Nations. This article concerns the orders and decorations of the Commonwealth realms awarded by the sovereign in right of each nation

Colonial awards

The Victoria Cross was extended to colonial troops in 1867. The extension was made following a recommendation for gallantry regarding colonial soldier Major Charles Heaphy for action in the New Zealand land wars in 1864. Major Charles Heaphy VC (1820 - 3 August 1881 was a New Zealand explorer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious The New Zealand Wars, sometimes called the Land Wars and also once called the Māori Wars, were a series of conflicts that took place in New Zealand ^[31] He was operating under British command and the VC was gazetted in 1867. Later that year, the Government of New Zealand assumed full responsibility for operations but no further recommendations for the Victoria Cross were raised for local troops who distinguished themselves in action. ^[32] Following gallant actions by three New Zealand soldiers in November 1868 and January 1869 during the New Zealand land wars, an Order-in-Council on 10 March 1869 created a “Distinctive Decoration” for members of the local forces without seeking permission from the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The Victoria Cross (VC was awarded to 15 recipients for action during the New Zealand Land Wars. An Order-in-Council is a type of legislation in Commonwealth Realms. Events 241 BC - First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates Islands - The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet bringing Year 1869 ( MDCCCLXIX) is a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The Secretary of State for the Colonies or Colonial Secretary was the British Cabinet official in charge of managing the various British Colonies. ^[33] Although the Governor General was chided for exceeding his authority, the Order in Council was ratified by the Queen. The title “Distinctive Decoration” was later replaced by the title New Zealand Cross. ^[32]

The question of whether recommendations could be made for colonial troops not serving with British troops was not asked in New Zealand, but in 1881, the question was asked in South Africa. Surgeon John McCrea, an officer of the South African forces was recommended for gallantry during hostilities which had not been approved by British Government. John Frederick McCrea VC ( 2 April 1854 - 16 July 1894) was a South African recipient of the Victoria Cross, the He was awarded the Victoria Cross and the principle was established that gallant conduct could be rewarded independently of any political consideration of military operations. More recently, four Australian soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross in Vietnam although Britain was not involved in the conflict. Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially ^[34]

Indian troops were not originally eligible for the Victoria Cross since they had been eligible for the Indian Order of Merit since 1837 which was the oldest British gallantry award for general issue. History The medal was first introduced by the East India Company in 1837 When the Victoria Cross was created, Indian troops were still controlled by the Honourable East India Company and did not come under Crown control until 1860. The Honourable East India Company ( HEIC) referred to most commonly as the East India Company, also historically and colloquially as John Company, or European officers and men serving with the Honourable East India Company were not eligible for the Indian Order of Merit and the Victoria Cross was extended to cover them in October 1857. History The medal was first introduced by the East India Company in 1837 It was only at the end of the 19th Century that calls for Indian troops to be awarded the Victoria Cross intensified. Indian troops became eligible for the award in 1911. The first awards to Indian troops appeared in the London Gazette on 7 December 1914 to Darwan Sing Negi and Khudadad Khan. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Darwan Singh Negi VC (November 1881- 24 June 1950 was among the earliest Indian recipients of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious Khudadad Khan VC ( 20 October 1888 - 8 March 1971) was the first Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, Negi was presented with the Victoria Cross by King George V during a visit to troops in France. The presentation occurred on 5 December 1914 and he is one of a very few soldiers presented with his award before it appeared in the London Gazette. Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year ^[35]

Separate Commonwealth awards

See also: Victoria Cross for Australia, Victoria Cross (Canada), and Victoria Cross for New Zealand

Victoria Cross as it appears on Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstones. The Victoria Cross for Australia is the highest award in the Australian Honours System, superseding the Victoria Cross for issue to Australians The Victoria Cross of Canada ( Post-nominal letters "VC" is a military award for extraordinary valour and devotion to duty while facing a hostile force The Victoria Cross for New Zealand ( VC) is a Military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the New Zealand Armed The Commonwealth War Graves Commission ( CWGC) is a joint governmental organisation responsible for marking and maintaining the graves of members of the Commonwealth

In recent years, several Commonwealth countries have introduced their own honours systems, separate from the British Honours System. The British honours system is a means of rewarding individuals' personal bravery achievement or service to the United Kingdom. This began with the Partition of India in 1947, when the new countries of India and Pakistan introduced their own systems of awards. The Partition of India was the partition of the British Indian Empire which led to the creation on August 14, 1947 and August 15, The VC was replaced by the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) and Nishan-e-Haider respectively, although the new countries continued to permit winners of British honours to wear their awards. The Param Vir Chakra (PVC is India 's highest Military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy similar Nishan-e-Haider ( نشان حیدر, translated as "The Mark of Haider, where Haider is the name of Ali and means Lion " abbreviated Several Pakistani soldiers and officers were authorised to wear both the British medals and the ones earned in the later Indo-Pakistani wars. Three Commonwealth realms: Australia, Canada and New Zealand,^[36] have each introduced their own decorations for gallantry and bravery, replacing British decorations such as the Military Cross with their own. A Commonwealth realm is any one of 16 sovereign states within the Commonwealth of Nations that each have Elizabeth II as their respective Monarch For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island The Military Cross ( MC) is the third level Military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993 other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to Most Commonwealth countries, however, still recognise some form of the VC as their highest decoration for valour. ^[37]

Australia was the first Commonwealth realm to create its own VC, on 15 January 1991. Events 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah 's reign Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Although it is a separate award, its appearance is identical to its British counterpart. ^[38] Canada followed suit when in 1993 Queen Elizabeth signed Letters Patent creating the Canadian VC, which is also similar to the British version, except that the legend has been changed from FOR VALOUR to the Latin PRO VALORE This was to accommodate both French and English, the two official languages of Canada. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. ^[39] While the New Zealand and Australian^[38] awards are still made from the gunmetal captured during the Crimean War, the Canadian VC is not, and it is currently made of metal from an unspecified source. ^[39]

New Zealand was the third country to adapt the VC into its own honours system. While the New Zealand and Australian VCs are technically separate awards, the decoration is identical to the British design, including being cast from the same Crimean War gunmetal as the British VC. ^[36] As of July 2007, only one of the separate VCs has been awarded, to a New Zealand serviceman, Bill Apiata, on 2 July 2007, for his actions in conflict in Afghanistan in 2004. Corporal Bill Henry "Willie" Apiata, VC (born 28 June 1972 in Mangakino, New Zealand) is a member of the Special Air Service Events 310 - Pope Miltiades is elected 626 - In fear of assassination Li Shimin ambushes and kills his rival Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, A Canadian version has been cast that was originally to be awarded to the Unknown Soldier at the rededication of the Vimy Memorial on 7 April 2007. The Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located at the National War Memorial in Confederation Square Ottawa. The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is a Canadian National Historic Site and one of Canada 's most important overseas war memorials. Events 529 - First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis (a fundamental work in Jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Roman Emperor Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. This date was chosen as it was the 90th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge but pressure from Veterans organisations caused the plan to be dropped. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military offensive by the Canadian Corps against elements of the German Sixth Army in World War I. ^[40]

Authority and privileges

As the highest award for valour of the United Kingdom, the Victoria Cross is always the first award to be presented at an investiture, even before knighthoods, as was shown at the investiture of Johnson Beharry who received his medal before General Sir Mike Jackson. Knight is the English term for a social position originating in the Middle Ages. Lance-Corporal Johnson Gideon Beharry VC (born 26 July 1979, in Grenada) of the 1st Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal General Sir Michael David "Mike" Jackson GCB, CBE, DSO, DL, (born 21 March 1944) is a British ^[13] Due to its status the VC is always the first medal worn in a row of medals and it always appears first in post-nominal letters before any other awards or honours. Post-nominal letters, also called " post-nominal initials " or " post-nominal titles " are letters placed after the name of a person to indicate that ^[37] Similar acts of extreme valour that do not take place in the face of the enemy are honoured with the George Cross which has equal precedence but is awarded second due to fact that the GC is newer. ^[2]

There is a widespread erroneous myth that it is statutory for "all ranks to salute a bearer of the Victoria Cross. " There is no official requirement that appears in the official Warrant of the VC, nor in Queen's Regulations and Orders but tradition dictates that this occurs and as such the Chiefs of Staff will salute a Private awarded a VC or GC. A Private is a Soldier of the lowest Military rank (equivalent to NATO Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in ^[2]

Annuity

The original warrant stated that NCOs and private soldiers or seamen on the Victoria Cross Register were entitled to a £10 per annum annuity. An annuity contract is a Financial product typically offered by a Financial institution, that may accumulate value and take a current value and pay it out over ^[41] In 1898, Queen Victoria raised the pension to £50 for those that could not earn a livelihood, be it from old age or infirmity. ^[42] Today holders of the Victoria Cross or George Cross are entitled to an annuity, the amount of which is determined by the awarding government. Since 2002, the annuity paid by the British government is £1,495 per year. ^[43] As of January 2005, under the Canadian Gallantry Awards Order, members of the Canadian Forces or people who joined the British forces before 31 March 1949 while domiciled in Canada or Newfoundland receive $3,000 per year. The Canadian Forces (CF ( French: Forces canadiennes) are the unified Armed forces of Canada, governed by the National Defence Events 307 - After divorcing his wife Minervina, Constantine marries Fausta, the daughter of the retired Roman Emperor Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[44] The Australian Government provides the two surviving Australian recipients a Victoria Cross Allowance under Subsection 103. 4 of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986. ^[45] In January 2006 the amount was $A3,230 per year which is indexed annually in line with Australian Consumer Price Index increases. The Australian dollar ( sign: $; code: AUD) is the Currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas ^[46][47]

Forfeited VCs

See also Victoria Cross forfeitures

The original Royal Warrant involved an expulsion clause that allowed for a recipient's name to be erased from the official register in certain wholly discreditable circumstances, and his pension cancelled. ^[48] King George V though felt very strongly that the decoration should never be forfeited and in a letter to his Private Secretary, Lord Stamfordham, on 26 July 1920, his views are forcibly expressed:

The power to cancel and restore awards is still included in the Victoria Cross warrant but none has been forfeited since 1908. ^[24]

Recipients

Main article: List of Victoria Cross recipients

The largest number of VCs awarded in a single action was 11 at Rorke's Drift on 22 January 1879

A total of 1,356 Victoria Crosses have been awarded since 1856 to 1,353 people. Rorke's Drift was a mission station in Natal, South Africa, situated near a natural ford (drift on the Buffalo River at. Events 565 - Eutychius is deposed as Patriarch of Constantinople by John Scholasticus. Year 1879 ( MDCCCLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common ^[49] Three people have been awarded the VC and Bar, that is a medal for two separate actions; Noel Chavasse and Arthur Martin-Leake, both members of The Royal Army Medical Corps, and New Zealander Charles Upham. A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a Military decoration, Civil decoration, or other Medal. Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse, VC and Bar, MC (9 November 1884 &ndash 4 August 1917 was a British medical doctor and soldier who is one of only three Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Martin-Leake, VC and Bar (4 April 1874 &ndash 22 June 1953 was an English double recipient of the Victoria Cross The Royal Army Medical Corps ( RAMC) is a specialist Corps in the British Army which provides Medical services to all British Army Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham, VC and Bar (21 September 1908 – 22 November 1994 was a New Zealand soldier who earned the Victoria Cross ^[50] Upham remains the only combat soldier to have received a VC and Bar. In 1921 the award was given to the American Unknown Soldier of the First World War. The Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, although it has never been officially named is a monument dedicated to American servicemen who have (The British Unknown Warrior was reciprocally awarded the US Medal of Honor. The British tomb of The Unknown Warrior holds an unidentified British soldier killed on a European battlefield during World War I. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. )^[51] One VC is in existence that is not counted in any official records. In 1856, Queen Victoria laid a Victoria Cross beneath the foundation stone of Netley Military hospital. The Royal Victoria Military Hospital, or Netley Hospital, was a large Military Hospital in Netley, Hampshire, England ^[52] When the hospital was demolished in 1966 the VC, known as "The Netley VC", was retrieved and is now on display in the Army Medical Services Museum, Ash, near Aldershot. ^[52]

There are several statistics related to the largest number of VCs awarded in individual battles or wars. The largest number awarded for actions on a single day was 24 on 16 November 1857, at the relief of Lucknow and the amount awarded in a single action was 11 for the defence of Rorke's Drift on 22 January 1879. Events 534 - A second and final revision of the Codex Justinianus is published Click here for Indian Rebellion of 1857 Year 1857 ( MDCCCLVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the The Siege of Lucknow was the prolonged defence of the Residency within the city of Lucknow during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 (also known as the First Rorke's Drift was a mission station in Natal, South Africa, situated near a natural ford (drift on the Buffalo River at. Events 565 - Eutychius is deposed as Patriarch of Constantinople by John Scholasticus. Year 1879 ( MDCCCLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The record for the number of Victoria Crosses awarded in a single conflict was 634 during the First World War. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All ^[30] There are only ten living holders of the VC — five British, two Australians, three Gurkhas — six of them for exploits during the Second World War; in addition one New Zealander holds the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. Prithvi Naraya Shahdev and Sri Teen Maharaja Jung Bahadur The Way of Sacrifice The Rajputs Pages 28-30 Graduate Thesis South Asian Studies Department Dr Eight of the then-twelve surviving holders of the Victoria Cross attended the 150th Anniversary service of remembrance at Westminster Abbey on 26 June 2006. The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey, is a large mainly Gothic church Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian is killed during the retreat from the Sassanid Empire. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[53]

An Irishman, Surgeon General William Manley, remains the sole recipient of both the Victoria Cross and the Iron Cross. William George Nicholas Manley VC, CB ( 17 December 1831 - 16 November 1901) was born in Dublin and was an For other meanings please see Iron Cross (disambiguation The Iron Cross ( was a Military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia The Victoria Cross was awarded for his actions during the Waikato-Hauhau Maori War, New Zealand on 29 April 1864 whilst the Iron Cross was awarded for tending the wounded during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71. The New Zealand Wars, sometimes called the Land Wars and also once called the Māori Wars, were a series of conflicts that took place in New Zealand Events 1429 - Joan of Arc arrives to relieve the Siege of Orleans. Year 1864 ( MDCCCLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War ( 19 July, 1870 — 10 May, 1871 ^[54] New Zealand Flying Officer Lloyd Trigg, has the distinction of being the only serviceman ever awarded a VC on evidence solely provided by the enemy, for an action in which there were no surviving Allied witnesses. F/O Lloyd Allan Trigg VC DFC ( 5 May 1914 &ndash 11 August 1943) of Houhora, New Zealand ^[55] The recommendation was made by the captain of the German U-boat U-468 sunk by Trigg's aircraft. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word, itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot ( undersea boat) and refers Lieutenant-Commander Gerard Roope was also awarded a VC on recommendation of the enemy, the captain of the Admiral Hipper, but there were also numerous surviving Allied witnesses to corroborate his actions. Lieutenant Commander ( Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy) is a Commissioned officer rank in many navies Superior Lieutenant-Commander Gerard Broadmead Roope VC RN ( March 13, 1905 - April 8, 1940) was an English History Admiral Hipper took part in the German invasion of Norway ( Operation Weserübung) ^[56]

Victoria Cross after World War II

Since the end of the Second World War the original VC has been awarded 13 times: four in the Korean War, one in the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation in 1965, four to Australians in the Vietnam War, two during the Falklands War in 1982, one in the Iraq War in 2004, and one in the War in Afghanistan in 2006. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Korean War refers to a period of military conflict between North Korean and South Korean regimes with major hostilities lasting from June 25 1950 until the The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia The Falklands War (Guerra de las Malvinas/Guerra del Atlántico Sur also called the Falklands Conflict/Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign The War in Afghanistan, which began on October 7 2001 as the U ^[51] The Victoria Cross for New Zealand has been awarded once, which was earned in 2004 but awarded in 2007.

The two awards given in the 21st century to British personnel have been for actions in the Afghanistan conflict and the Iraq War. The War in Afghanistan, which began on October 7 2001 as the U The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia On 18 March 2005, Lance Corporal (then Private) Johnson Beharry of the 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment became the first recipient of the VC since Sergeant Ian McKay in 1982. Events 37 - The Roman Senate annuls Tiberius ' will and proclaims Caligula emperor Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Lance Corporal is a Military rank, used by many armed forces worldwide and also by some Police forces and other uniformed organizations A Private is a Soldier of the lowest Military rank (equivalent to NATO Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in Lance-Corporal Johnson Gideon Beharry VC (born 26 July 1979, in Grenada) of the 1st Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal "PWRR" redirects here For the railroad with these reporting marks see Portland and Western Railroad. Ian John McKay VC ( May 7, 1953 &ndash June 12, 1982) was a posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross, ^[13] The most recent award of the Victoria Cross to a British service person was the posthumous award on 14 December 2006 to Corporal Bryan Budd of 3 Para. Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and also by some police forces or other uniformed organizations Bryan James Budd VC, (16 July 1977 - 20 August 2006 was a Corporal in the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment (3 PARA of the British Army The Parachute Regiment is the Airborne Infantry element of the British Army. It was awarded for two separate acts of "inspirational leadership and the greatest valour" which led to his death, during actions against the Taliban in Afghanistan in July and August 2006. The Taliban ( طالبان, also anglicised as Taleban; translation "students" is a Sunni Islamist, predominately Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, ^[57]

It was announced on 2 July 2007 that Corporal Bill Apiata of the Special Air Service of New Zealand (NZ SAS) was awarded the Victoria Cross for New Zealand for carrying a severely wounded comrade 70 metres over rocky ground while under heavy machine-gun fire during the Afghanistan conflict in 2004. Events 310 - Pope Miltiades is elected 626 - In fear of assassination Li Shimin ambushes and kills his rival Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Corporal Bill Henry "Willie" Apiata, VC (born 28 June 1972 in Mangakino, New Zealand) is a member of the Special Air Service The New Zealand Special Air Service ( NZ SAS) was formed on July 7 1955 and is a New Zealand Army Special Forces unit which was The Victoria Cross for New Zealand ( VC) is a Military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the New Zealand Armed ^[58][59]

Value of the VC

Sales of the VC

Some recipients have felt the need to sell their medals, often to avoid rows between their children:^[2]

The inherent value of the VC can be seen by the increasing sums that the medals reach at auction. In 1955 the medal awarded to Edmund Barron Hartley was bought at Sotheby's for the then record price of £300. Edmund Barron Hartley VC CMG (born Ivybridge, Devon, 6 May 1847; died 20 March 1919) was a recipient Sotheby's ( is the world's second oldest Auction house in continuous operation (the oldest being Stockholms Auktionsverk founded in 1674 In October 1966 the Middlesex Regiment paid a new record figure of £900 for a medal awarded after the Battle of the Somme. The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own was a Regiment of the British Army. The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, fought from July to November 1916 was among the largest battles of the First World War In January 1969 the record reached £1700 for the medal of William Rennie^[60] In April 2004 the VC awarded in 1944 to Sergeant Norman Jackson, RAF, was sold at auction for £235,250. William Rennie VC ( 1 November 1821 &ndash 22 August 1896) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries police forces and other uniformed organizations around the world Norman Cyril Jackson VC ( 8 April 1919 &ndash 26 March 1994) was a Sergeant in the Royal Air Force who ^[61]

On 24 July 2006, an auction at Bonhams in Sydney of the VC awarded to Captain Alfred Shout fetched a world record hammer price of AU$1 million. Events 1132 - Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Bonhams is a privately owned British auction house founded in 1793 Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Alfred John Shout VC, MC (7 August 1881 &ndash 11 August 1915 was the most highly decorated Australian during the Battle of Gallipoli, The Australian dollar ( sign: $; code: AUD) is the Currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas ^[4] Captain Alfred Shout was awarded the VC posthumously in 1915 for hand-to-hand combat at the Lone Pine trenches in Gallipoli Turkey. Gallipoli peninsula (Gelibolu Yarımadası is located in Turkish Thrace, the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches The buyer, Kerry Stokes has since donated the medal set to the Australian War Memorial. Kerry Matthew Stokes AC is an Australian businessman He holds business interests in a diverse range of industries including electronic and print media property mining and It is on display with the eight other VCs awarded to Australians at Gallipoli. ^[61]

Thefts of the VC

Several VCs have been stolen and being valuable have been placed on the Interpol watch-list for stolen items. The International Criminal Police Organization, better known by its telegraphic address Interpol is an organization facilitating international police cooperation ^[62]

The VC awarded to Milton Gregg, which was donated to the Royal Canadian Regiment Museum in London, Ontario Canada in 1979, was stolen on Canada Day, (1 July 1980), when the museum was overcrowded^[63] and has been missing since. Milton Fowler Gregg, VC, PC, OC, CBE, MC, ED, CD ( April 10, 1892 - March 13 The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum is a military museum located at the military base ASU London in London Ontario, Canada. London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor with a metropolitan area population of 457720 the city proper Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Canada Day (Fête du Canada formerly Dominion Day, is Canada 's national day, a federal statutory holiday, celebrating the anniversary of the "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) A VC awarded in 1917 to Canadian soldier Corporal Filip Konowal^[64] was stolen from the same museum in 1973 and was not recovered until 2004. Filip Konowal VC ( September 15, 1888 – June 3, 1959) was a Ukrainian Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross ^[65]

On December 2, 2007, 9 Victoria Crosses were among 100 medals stolen from locked, reinforced glass cabinets at the QEII Army Memorial Museum in Waiouru, New Zealand with a value of around NZD$20 million. Events 1409 - The University of Leipzig opens 1755 - The second Eddystone Lighthouse is destroyed by fire Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The QEII Army Memorial Museum at Waiouru, New Zealand is the main museum of the New Zealand Army. Waiouru is a small town in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. The New Zealand dollar ( sign: $; code: NZD) is the Currency of New Zealand. Charles Upham's VC and bar was among these. Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham, VC and Bar (21 September 1908 – 22 November 1994 was a New Zealand soldier who earned the Victoria Cross ^[66] A reward of NZ$300,000 was posted for information leading to the recovery of the medals and conviction of the thieves. Lord Ashcroft contributed significantly to this amount. On 16 February 2008 New Zealand Police announced all the medals had been recovered as a result of the reward. Events 1249 - Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common ^[67] A high profile Auckland lawyer, Chris Comeskey, played a key part in the drawn out negotiations to safely return the medals. While there has been much public debate about the need to offer reward money in order to retrieve the medals, there is universal relief that they have been safely returned. ^[68]

Collections

Public collections

Museums with holdings of ten or more VCs include:^[69]

^{(note 1 = Many VCs are on loan to the museums and are owned by individuals and not owned by the museums themselves. The Imperial War Museum is a Museum in London, England featuring military vehicles weapons war memorabilia an extensive library open to the public Kennington is an area of South London, England, in the London Borough of Lambeth. The National Army Museum is the British Army's central museum Chelsea is an area of south-west London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along The Royal Green Jackets Museum in Winchester England showcases artefacts from British military history, specifically that of the Royal Green Jackets Winchester or Winton ( archaic) is a historic city in southern England, with a population of around 40000 within a radius of its centre The Royal Engineers Museum and Library is a Military engineering Museum and Library in Gillingham, Medway, Kent, England Gillingham ( is a town in the Unitary authority of Medway in South East England. The Army Medical Services Museum is located in the Defence Medical Services Training Centre Keogh Barracks on Mytchett Place Road Mytchett, Surrey, England Mytchett is a small Village in Surrey approximately 35 miles south west of London. The Royal Artillery, is the common name for the Royal Regiment of Artillery, is an Arm of the British Army. Woolwich (ˈwʊlɪtʃ or /ˈwʊlɪdʒ/ is a suburb in south-east London, England in the London Borough of Greenwich, on the south side of the River The Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons, officially abbreviated "QOHldrs" was an Infantry Regiment in the Scottish Division Ardersier is a small former fishing village in the Scottish Highlands, on the Moray Firth, east of Inverness, near Fort George, and The South Wales Borderers was an Infantry Regiment of the British Army. Brecon (Aberhonddu is an historic Market town in southern Powys, mid Wales, with a population of roughly 8000 with around 6000 in the surrounding area The Green Howards Regimental Museum is the museum of the The Green Howards infantry regiment of the British Army. Richmond is a Market town on the River Swale in North Yorkshire, England and is the administrative centre of the district of Richmondshire The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment was an Infantry Regiment of the British Army. Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London (and historically as The Tower) is a historic monument in central London The National Maritime Museum (NMM in Greenwich, England is the leading Maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum Greenwich ( ˈɡrɛnɪtʃ GREN-itch /ˈɡrɛnɪdʒ/ GREN-idge or /ˈɡrɪnɪdʒ/ GRIN-idge is a district in south-east London, The National War Museum is housed in Edinburgh, and forms part of the National Museums of Scotland. Edinburgh Castle is an ancient Stronghold which dominates the sky-line of the The Royal Air Force Museum ( RAF Museum) is a Museum dedicated to the history of Aviation, and the British Royal Air Force in particular Hendon is a London suburban development situated 7 miles (113 km north west of Charing Cross. The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment was formed during the Childers Reforms in 1881 from the amalgamation of the 45th (Nottinghamshire Nottingham ( is a city in the Ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire, England. Prithvi Naraya Shahdev and Sri Teen Maharaja Jung Bahadur The Way of Sacrifice The Rajputs Pages 28-30 Graduate Thesis South Asian Studies Department Dr Winchester or Winton ( archaic) is a historic city in southern England, with a population of around 40000 within a radius of its centre The Royal Marines Museum is located in Portsmouth Hampshire England and is open to the public every day of the week throughout the year apart from Christmas Eve Christmas Day and Boxing History See also History of Portsmouth There have been settlements in the area since before Roman times mostly being offshoots of Portchester, which The Royal Welch Fusiliers were a Regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division. Caernarfon Castle (Castell Caernarfon was constructed at Caernarfon in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, by King Edward I of England, following his The Australian War Memorial is Australia 's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated Canberra ( is the capital city of Australia With a population of over 340000 it is Australia's largest inland City. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The Canadian War Museum (CWM is Canada ’s national museum of military history Ottawa (ˈɒtəwə or sometimes /ˈɒtəwɑː/ is the Capital of Canada and the country's fourth largest municipality. Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec The QEII Army Memorial Museum at Waiouru, New Zealand is the main museum of the New Zealand Army. Waiouru is a small town in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. )[69]
(note 2 = It is the largest publicly held collection in the world,[70] including all nine VCs awarded to Australians at Gallipoli. )}

Private collections

British businessman and politician Lord Ashcroft has amassed a private collection of over 140 VCs. Michael Anthony Ashcroft Baron Ashcroft, KCMG (born 4 March 1946) is a British businessman and Politician. Lord Ashcroft purchased his first medal in 1986 and the collection now contains over a tenth of the medals ever awarded, the largest private or public collection of such medals ever accumulated. The medals are administered by The Ashcroft Collection Trust. Victoria Cross Heroes by Michael Ashcroft was published in November 2006 by Hardline Books, ISBN 978 0 7553 1632 8. ^[5]

Other

The Imperial and Canadian Victoria Cross featured on Canadian postage stamps. The Victoria Cross of Canada ( Post-nominal letters "VC" is a military award for extraordinary valour and devotion to duty while facing a hostile force The stamp on the right also contains a facsimile of words handwritten by Queen Elizabeth II which read: "Approved", followed by Her Majesty´s Royal Sign Manual "Elizabeth R"

Memorials

In 2004 a national Victoria Cross and George Cross memorial was installed in Westminster Abbey close to the tomb of The Unknown Warrior. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II The royal sign manual is the formal name given in the United Kingdom to the autograph signature of the Sovereign The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey, is a large mainly Gothic church The British tomb of The Unknown Warrior holds an unidentified British soldier killed on a European battlefield during World War I. ^[71] Westminster Abbey is a living monument to British history in that it contains monuments and memorials to central figures in British History including Charles Darwin and James VI & I. Charles Robert Darwin (February 12 1809 &ndash April 19 1882 was an English naturalist, who realised and demonstrated that all Species of life James VI and I (19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625 was King of Scotland as James VI, and King of England and King of Ireland as James As such it was a significant honour for the VC to be commemorated in Westminster Abbey. ^[72]

Canon William Lummis MC

Canon William Lummis, MC, was a military historian who built up an archive on the service records and final resting places of Victoria Cross holders. Canon William Murrell Lummis, MC, ( Coddenham, Suffolk, on June 4, 1886, died November 2, 1985, aged The Military Cross ( MC) is the third level Military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993 other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to ^[73] This was then summarised into a pamphlet which was taken to be an authoritative source on these matters. However, Lummis was aware of short-comings in his work and encouraged David Harvey to continue it. David Charles Harvey was born on the 29 July 1946 in East Ham. The result was Harvey's seminal book Monuments to Courage. Monuments to Courage Victoria Cross Monuments and Headstones is a two-volume book by David Harvey, published in 1999 on the last resting places of 1322 of the 1350 In 2007 the Royal Mail used material from Lummis' archives to produce a collection of stamps commemorating Victoria Cross winners. Royal Mail is the national postal service of the United Kingdom. ^[74]

Soldiers' club naming traditions

It is a tradition within the Australian Army for soldiers' recreational clubs on military bases to be named after a particular Victoria Cross winner, usually one with whom the unit is historically associated. The Australian Army is Australia's military land force It is part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Permission for such naming rights is usually obtained not only from the relevant command hierarchy within the military itself, but also from the family of the VC winner. Once dedicated, the club and its participants typically take great pride in the deeds of the VC winner with whom they are associated, and often family members will be invited to attend certain functions held by the club as a mark of thanks and respect.

Examples of such clubs can be found right across Australia, but more prominent ones include the Edmondson VC Club at ARTC Kapooka (named after John Hurst Edmondson), the Dunstan VC Club at Puckapunyal military base in Victoria, Australia (named after William Dunstan) and the Arthur C. Army Recruit Training Centre is the official name denoted by the Australian Army Department of Defence since December 1 1998 for its Recruit Training Centre situated at John Hurst Edmondson VC ( 8 October, 1914 &ndash 14 April, 1941) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Puckapunyal is an Australian Army base in north-central Victoria William Dunstan VC ( 8 March[[ 895]] - 3 March[[ 957]] was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious Hall VC Club at Victoria Barracks in Sydney (named after Arthur Charles Hall). Victoria Barracks is an Australian Army base in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Arthur Charles Hall VC (11 August 1896- 25 February 1978 was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry

See also

• List of Victoria Cross recipients by Name - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
• List of living Victoria Cross recipients
• List of Victoria Crosses by School
• The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association
• Dickin Medal ("the animal's VC")

Notes

References

• Abbott and Tamplin (1981). British Gallantry Awards. Nimrod Dix and Co. . ISBN 0902633740.  
• (1997) The Register of the Victoria Cross. The Register of the Victoria Cross is a Reference work that provides brief information on every VC ever awarded it provides a summary of the deed along This England. ISBN 0-906324-03-3.  
• Ashcroft, Michael (2006). Michael Anthony Ashcroft Baron Ashcroft, KCMG (born 4 March 1946) is a British businessman and Politician. Victoria Cross Heroes. Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0755316320.  
• Beharry, Johnson (2006). Lance-Corporal Johnson Gideon Beharry VC (born 26 July 1979, in Grenada) of the 1st Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal barefoot soldier. Sphere. ISBN 0-316-73321-0.  
• Crook, M. J. (1975). The Evolution of the Victoria Cross. Midas books. ISBN 0 85936 041 5.  
• Duckers, Peter (2006). British Gallantry Awards, 1855-2000. Shire Publications Ltd. ISBN 0747805164.  
• Glanfield, John (2005). Bravest of the Brave. Sutton Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0750936959.  
• Harvey, David (2000). David Charles Harvey was born on the 29 July 1946 in East Ham. Monuments to Courage. Monuments to Courage Victoria Cross Monuments and Headstones is a two-volume book by David Harvey, published in 1999 on the last resting places of 1322 of the 1350 Naval & Military Press Ltd. ISBN 1843423561.  
• Pillinger, Dennis; Staunton, Anthony (2000). Victoria Cross presentations and locations. Maidenhead, Berkshire/Woden. ISBN 0 646 3971 9.  
• Ross, Graham (1995). Scotland's Forgotten Valour. Scotland's Forgotten Valour is a 1995 book by Graham Ross, published by MacLean Press under ISBN 1-899272-00-3 MacLean Press. ISBN 1-899272-00-3.  

External links

• Victoria Cross and George Cross gallery at the Imperial War Museum in London
• A description of the VC from Canada's Veterans' Affairs department
• Royal and Dominion Navies, Victoria Cross at Sea, 1940-45
• The King's Own Royal Regiment Museum, (Lancaster), Victoria Cross. The Imperial War Museum is a Museum in London, England featuring military vehicles weapons war memorabilia an extensive library open to the public www. kingsownmuseum. plus. com.
• VC winners from The Times obituaries

Archives

• Victoria Cross Registers online index to Victoria Cross awards at the National Archives site
• A page where some warrants pertaining to the VC are listed
• Victoria Cross Research page
• Search UK National Inventory of War Memorial for memorials in the UK commemorating VC winners Select 'War' type of 'VC or GC Winners'