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List of Victoria Cross recipients of the Royal Navy facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
William johnstone victoria cross
The Victoria Cross in its pre-1918 Naval form, with a blue ribbon

The Victoria Cross (VC) is a very special medal given for incredible bravery. It's awarded to members of the armed forces in some Commonwealth countries. This medal is for showing amazing courage "in the face of the enemy." It's the highest award for bravery in the United Kingdom, shared with the George Cross. The George Cross is for bravery when not directly facing an enemy.

Anyone in the military, no matter their rank, can receive the VC. Even civilians working with the military can get it. The British monarch personally gives the medal to the recipient at Buckingham Palace. So far, the VC has been given out 1356 times to 1353 different people.

What is the Victoria Cross?

The Victoria Cross was created on January 29, 1856, by Queen Victoria. She wanted to honor brave acts during the Crimean War. The medals are traditionally made from the metal of Russian cannons captured at the siege of Sevastopol. However, some recent studies suggest the metal might have come from different places.

At first, the VC was not given to people who died in action. But this rule changed over time. Between 1897 and 1901, some soldiers were mentioned as deserving the VC even though they had died. In 1902, six of these soldiers were officially recognized. By 1907, the rule completely changed. Medals were then sent to the families of brave soldiers who had died. By 1920, it was fully allowed to give the VC posthumously (after someone's death). About one-quarter of all VCs given during the First World War were awarded after the person had died.

Naval Heroes of the Victoria Cross

Many brave sailors and marines have received the Victoria Cross. The date listed for each award is when the heroic action happened. The Royal Navy and other naval services have received 117 Victoria Crosses in total.

Most naval VCs were awarded during the First World War. The Second World War and the Crimean War also saw many naval heroes recognized. Sixty-eight VCs went to Royal Navy personnel serving on ships. Another 49 were given to those in other naval groups. These include the Royal Naval Brigade and the Royal Marines. The Royal Marines have earned 10 VCs. The Royal Naval Reserve and Volunteer Reserve have received 22 VCs. Even a pilot from the Royal Naval Air Service, Richard Bell-Davies, earned this high honor.

Victoria Cross Recipients

      This along with the * indicates that the Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Vessel Date of action Conflict Place of action Notes
Hunter, ThomasThomas Hunter 43 Commando 1945* Second World War Comacchio, Italy
Esmonde, EugeneEugene Esmonde Fleet Air Arm
No. 825 Squadron
1942* Second World War Straits of Dover, England
Harding, IsraelIsrael Harding HMS Alexandria 1882 Occupation of Egypt Alexandria, Egypt
Robarts, JohnJohn Robarts HMS Ardent 1855 Crimean War Sea of Azov, Crimea
Bythesea, JohnJohn Bythesea HMS Arrogant 1854 Crimean War Åland, Finland
Ingouville, GeorgeGeorge Ingouville HMS Arrogant 1855 Crimean War Fort of Viborg, Finland
Johnstone, WilliamWilliam Johnstone HMS Arrogant 1854 Crimean War Åland, Finland
Holbrook, NormanNorman Holbrook HMS B11 1914 First World War Dardanelles, Turkey
Hewett, WilliamWilliam Hewett HMS Beagle 1854 Crimean War Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea
Trewavas, JosephJoseph Trewavas HMS Beagle 1855 Crimean War Sea of Azov, Crimea
Sandford, RichardRichard Sandford HMS C3 1918 First World War Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium
Carless, JohnJohn Carless HMS Caledon 1917* First World War Battle of Heligoland, Germany
Beattie, StephenStephen Beattie HMS Campbeltown 1942 Second World War St. Nazaire, France
Ryder, RobertRobert Ryder HMS Campbeltown 1942 Second World War St. Nazaire, France
Cornwell, JackJack Cornwell HMS Chester 1916* First World War Battle of Jutland, Denmark
Agar, AugustusAugustus Agar HM Coastal Motor Boat 4 1919 Baltic Campaign Kronstadt, Russia
Dobson, ClaudeClaude Dobson HM Coastal Motor Boat 31 1919 Baltic Campaign Kronstadt, Russia
Steele, GordonGordon Steele HM Coastal Motor Boat 88 1919 Baltic Campaign Kronstadt, Russia
Cookson, EdgarEdgar Cookson HMS Comet 1915* First World War Kut-el-Amara, Mesopotamia
Sephton, AlfredAlfred Sephton HMS Coventry 1941* Second World War Crete, Mediterranean
Daniel, EdwardEdward Daniel HMS Diamond 1854 Crimean War Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea
Pitcher, ErnestErnest Pitcher HMS Dunraven 1917 First World War Bay of Biscay, Atlantic
Bonner, CharlesCharles Bonner HMS Dunraven 1917 First World War Bay of Biscay, Atlantic
Boyle, EdwardEdward Boyle HMS E14 1915 First World War Dardanelles, Turkey
White, GeoffreyGeoffrey White HMS E14 1918* First World War Dardanelles, Turkey
Boyes, DuncanDuncan Boyes HMS Euryalus 1864 Bombardment of Shimonoseki Shimonoseki, Japan
Pride, ThomasThomas Pride HMS Euryalus 1864 Bombardment of Shimonoseki Shimonoseki, Japan
Seeley, WilliamWilliam Seeley HMS Euryalus 1864 Bombardment of Shimonoseki Shimonoseki, Japan
Campbell, GordonGordon Campbell HMS Farnborough 1917 First World War Atlantic Ocean
Mantle, JackJack Mantle HMS Foylebank 1940* Second World War Portland, England
Roope, GeraldGerald Roope HMS Glowworm 1940* Second World War West Ford, Norway
Ritchie, HenryHenry Ritchie HMS Goliath 1914 First World War Dar es Salaam, Tanganyika
Warburton-Lee, BernardBernard Warburton-Lee HMS Hardy 1940* Second World War Narvik, Norway
Mitchell, SamuelSamuel Mitchell HMS Harrier 1864 New Zealand Wars Te Papa, New Zealand
Maillard, WilliamWilliam Maillard HMS Hazard 1898 Occupation of Crete Crete, Greece
Lucas, CharlesCharles Lucas HMS Hecla 1854 Crimean War Åland, Finland
Wilson, ArthurArthur Wilson HMS Hecla 1884 Mahdist War Battles of El Teb, Sudan
Bradford, GeorgeGeorge Bradford HMS Iris II 1918* First World War Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium
Fegen, EdwardEdward Fegen HMS Jervis Bay 1940* Second World War Atlantic Ocean
Firman, HumphreyHumphrey Firman SS Julnar 1916* First World War Kut-el-Amara, Mesopotamia
Buckley, CecilCecil Buckley HMS Miranda 1855 Crimean War Sea of Azov, Crimea
Cooper, HenryHenry Cooper HMS Miranda 1855 Crimean War Taganrog, Crimea
Savage, WilliamWilliam Savage HM Motor Gun Boat 314 1942* Second World War St. Nazaire, France
Bingham, EdwardEdward Bingham HMS Nestor 1916 First World War Battle of Jutland, Denmark
Odgers, WilliamWilliam Odgers HMS Niger 1860 New Zealand Wars Omata, New Zealand
Sherbrooke, RobertRobert Sherbrooke HMS Onslow 1942 Second World War North Cape, Norway
Day, GeorgeGeorge Day HMS Recruit 1855 Crimean War Genitichi, Crimea
Malleson, WilfredWilfred Malleson SS River Clyde 1915 First World War Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey
Unwin, EdwardEdward Unwin SS River Clyde 1915 First World War Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey
Williams, WilliamWilliam Williams SS River Clyde 1915* First World War Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey
Hall, WilliamWilliam Hall HMS Shannon/Naval Brigade 1857 Indian Rebellion of 1857 Siege of Lucknow, India
Hinckley, GeorgeGeorge Hinckley HMS Sphinx 1862 Taiping Rebellion Fung Wha, China
Jones, LoftusLoftus Jones HMS Shark 1916* First World War Battle of Jutland, Denmark
Burgoyne, HughHugh Burgoyne HMS Swallow 1855 Crimean War Sea of Azov, Crimea
Gould, ThomasThomas Gould HMS Thrasher 1942 Second World War Crete, Mediterranean
Roberts, PeterPeter Roberts HMS Thrasher 1942 Second World War Crete, Mediterranean
Miers, AnthonyAnthony Miers HMS Torbay 1942 Second World War Corfu, Greece
Linton, JohnJohn Linton HMS Turbulent 1943* Second World War Mediterranean
Wanklyn, MalcolmMalcolm Wanklyn HMS Upholder 1941* Second World War Sicily, Mediterranean
Robinson, EricEric Robinson HMS Vengeance 1915 First World War Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey
Carpenter, AlfredAlfred Carpenter HMS Vindictive 1918 First World War Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium
Crutchley, VictorVictor Crutchley HMS Vindictive 1918 First World War Ostend, Belgium
Harrison, ArthurArthur Harrison HMS Vindictive 1918* First World War Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium
McKenzie, AlbertAlbert McKenzie HMS Vindictive 1918 First World War Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium
Peters, FrederickFrederick Peters HMS Walney 1942 Second World War Oran, Algeria
Commerell, JohnJohn Commerell HMS Weser 1855 Crimean War Sea of Azov, Crimea
Rickard, WilliamWilliam Rickard HMS Weser 1855 Crimean War Sea of Azov, Crimea
Kellaway, JosephJoseph Kellaway HMS Wrangler 1855 Crimean War Sea of Azov, Crimea
Magennis, JamesJames Magennis HMS XE3 1945 Second World War Johore Straits, Singapore
Place, BasilBasil Place HMS X7 1943 Second World War Kåfjord, Norway
Curtis, HenryHenry Curtis Naval Brigade 1855 Crimean War Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea
Gorman, JamesJames Gorman Naval Brigade 1854 Crimean War Battle of Inkerman, Crimea
Guy, BasilBasil Guy Naval Brigade 1900 Boxer Rebellion Tientsin, China
Harrison, JohnJohn Harrison Naval Brigade 1857 Indian Rebellion of 1857 Siege of Lucknow, India
Peel, WilliamWilliam Peel Naval Brigade 1854 Crimean War Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea
Raby, HenryHenry Raby Naval Brigade 1855 Crimean War Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea
Reeves, ThomasThomas Reeves Naval Brigade 1854 Crimean War Battle of Inkerman, Crimea
Robinson, EdwardEdward Robinson Naval Brigade 1858 Indian Rebellion of 1857 Siege of Lucknow, India
Salmon, NowellNowell Salmon Naval Brigade 1857 Indian Rebellion of 1857 Siege of Lucknow, India
Scholefield, MarkMark Scholefield Naval Brigade 1854 Crimean War Battle of Inkerman, Crimea
Sheppard, JohnJohn Sheppard Naval Brigade 1855 Crimean War Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea
Sullivan, JohnJohn Sullivan Naval Brigade 1855 Crimean War Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea
Taylor, JohnJohn Taylor Naval Brigade 1855 Crimean War Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea
Young, ThomasThomas Young Naval Brigade 1857 Indian Rebellion of 1857 Siege of Lucknow, India
Bell-Davies, RichardRichard Bell-Davies No. 3 Squadron
Royal Naval Air Service
1915 First World War Ferrijik Junction, Bulgaria
Warneford, ReginaldReginald Warneford No. 1 Squadron
Royal Naval Air Service
1915 First World War Ghent, Belgium
Dowell, GeorgeGeorge Dowell Royal Marine Artillery 1855 Crimean War Fort of Viborg, Gulf of Finland
Finch, NormanNorman Finch Royal Marine Artillery 1918 First World War Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium
Lumsden, FrederickFrederick Lumsden Royal Marine Artillery 1917 First World War Francilly, France
Wilkinson, ThomasThomas Wilkinson Royal Marine Artillery 1855 Crimean War Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea
Bamford, EdwardEdward Bamford Royal Marine Light Infantry 1918 First World War Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium
Halliday, LewisLewis Halliday Royal Marine Light Infantry 1900 Boxer Rebellion Peking, China
Harvey, FrancisFrancis Harvey Royal Marine Light Infantry 1916* First World War Battle of Jutland, Denmark
Parker, WalterWalter Parker Royal Marine Light Infantry 1915 First World War Gaba Tepe, Gallipoli, Turkey
Prettyjohns, JohnJohn Prettyjohns Royal Marine Light Infantry 1854 Crimean War Battle of Inkerman, Crimea
Beak, DanielDaniel Beak Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 1918 First World War Logeast Wood, France
Louis, RowlandRowland Louis Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 1918 First World War Ostend, Belgium
Cowley, CharlesCharles Cowley Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 1916* First World War Kut-el-Amara, Mesopotamia
Dean, PercyPercy Dean Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 1918 First World War Zeebrugge, Belgium
Drummond, GeoffreyGeoffrey Drummond Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 1918 First World War Ostend, Belgium
Freyberg, BernardBernard Freyberg Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 1916 First World War Battle of the Ancre, France
Prowse, GeorgeGeorge Prowse Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 1918 First World War Pronville, France
Tisdall, ArthurArthur Tisdall Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 1915 First World War Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey
Auten, HaroldHarold Auten Royal Naval Reserve 1918 First World War English Channel, England
Bonner, CharlesCharles Bonner Royal Naval Reserve 1917 First World War Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Ocean
Cameron, DonaldDonald Cameron Royal Naval Reserve 1943 Second World War Kåfjord, Norway
Crisp, ThomasThomas Crisp Royal Naval Reserve 1917* First World War North Sea
Drewry, GeorgeGeorge Drewry Royal Naval Reserve 1915 First World War Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey
Fraser, IanIan Fraser Royal Naval Reserve 1945 Second World War Johore Straits, Singapore
Parslow, FrederickFrederick Parslow Royal Naval Reserve 1915* First World War Atlantic Ocean
Samson, GeorgeGeorge Samson Royal Naval Reserve 1915 First World War Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey
Sanders, WilliamWilliam Sanders Royal Naval Reserve 1917* First World War Atlantic Ocean
Smith, ArchibaldArchibald Smith Royal Naval Reserve 1917* First World War Atlantic Ocean
Stannard, RichardRichard Stannard Royal Naval Reserve 1940 Second World War Namsos, Norway
Stuart, RonaldRonald Stuart Royal Naval Reserve 1917 First World War Atlantic Ocean
Watt, JosephJoseph Watt Royal Naval Reserve 1917 First World War Strait of Otranto, Italy
Wilkinson, ThomasThomas Wilkinson Royal Naval Reserve 1942* Second World War Java Sea, Malaya
Williams, WilliamWilliam Williams Royal Naval Reserve 1917 First World War Atlantic Ocean
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List of Victoria Cross recipients of the Royal Navy Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.