List of Victoria Cross recipients of the Royal Navy facts for kids
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.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thomas Hunter | 43 Commando | 1945* | Second World War | Comacchio, Italy | |
Eugene Esmonde | Fleet Air Arm No. 825 Squadron |
1942* | Second World War | Straits of Dover, England | |
Israel Harding | HMS Alexandria | 1882 | Occupation of Egypt | Alexandria, Egypt | |
John Robarts | HMS Ardent | 1855 | Crimean War | Sea of Azov, Crimea | |
John Bythesea | HMS Arrogant | 1854 | Crimean War | Åland, Finland | |
George Ingouville | HMS Arrogant | 1855 | Crimean War | Fort of Viborg, Finland | |
William Johnstone | HMS Arrogant | 1854 | Crimean War | Åland, Finland | |
Norman Holbrook | HMS B11 | 1914 | First World War | Dardanelles, Turkey | |
William Hewett | HMS Beagle | 1854 | Crimean War | Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea | |
Joseph Trewavas | HMS Beagle | 1855 | Crimean War | Sea of Azov, Crimea | |
Richard Sandford | HMS C3 | 1918 | First World War | Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium | |
John Carless | HMS Caledon | 1917* | First World War | Battle of Heligoland, Germany | |
Stephen Beattie | HMS Campbeltown | 1942 | Second World War | St. Nazaire, France | |
Robert Ryder | HMS Campbeltown | 1942 | Second World War | St. Nazaire, France | |
Jack Cornwell | HMS Chester | 1916* | First World War | Battle of Jutland, Denmark | |
Augustus Agar | HM Coastal Motor Boat 4 | 1919 | Baltic Campaign | Kronstadt, Russia | |
Claude Dobson | HM Coastal Motor Boat 31 | 1919 | Baltic Campaign | Kronstadt, Russia | |
Gordon Steele | HM Coastal Motor Boat 88 | 1919 | Baltic Campaign | Kronstadt, Russia | |
Edgar Cookson | HMS Comet | 1915* | First World War | Kut-el-Amara, Mesopotamia | |
Alfred Sephton | HMS Coventry | 1941* | Second World War | Crete, Mediterranean | |
Edward Daniel | HMS Diamond | 1854 | Crimean War | Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea | |
Ernest Pitcher | HMS Dunraven | 1917 | First World War | Bay of Biscay, Atlantic | |
Charles Bonner | HMS Dunraven | 1917 | First World War | Bay of Biscay, Atlantic | |
Edward Boyle | HMS E14 | 1915 | First World War | Dardanelles, Turkey | |
Geoffrey White | HMS E14 | 1918* | First World War | Dardanelles, Turkey | |
Duncan Boyes | HMS Euryalus | 1864 | Bombardment of Shimonoseki | Shimonoseki, Japan | |
Thomas Pride | HMS Euryalus | 1864 | Bombardment of Shimonoseki | Shimonoseki, Japan | |
William Seeley | HMS Euryalus | 1864 | Bombardment of Shimonoseki | Shimonoseki, Japan | |
Gordon Campbell | HMS Farnborough | 1917 | First World War | Atlantic Ocean | |
Jack Mantle | HMS Foylebank | 1940* | Second World War | Portland, England | |
Gerald Roope | HMS Glowworm | 1940* | Second World War | West Ford, Norway | |
Henry Ritchie | HMS Goliath | 1914 | First World War | Dar es Salaam, Tanganyika | |
Bernard Warburton-Lee | HMS Hardy | 1940* | Second World War | Narvik, Norway | |
Samuel Mitchell | HMS Harrier | 1864 | New Zealand Wars | Te Papa, New Zealand | |
William Maillard | HMS Hazard | 1898 | Occupation of Crete | Crete, Greece | |
Charles Lucas | HMS Hecla | 1854 | Crimean War | Åland, Finland | |
Arthur Wilson | HMS Hecla | 1884 | Mahdist War | Battles of El Teb, Sudan | |
George Bradford | HMS Iris II | 1918* | First World War | Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium | |
Edward Fegen | HMS Jervis Bay | 1940* | Second World War | Atlantic Ocean | |
Humphrey Firman | SS Julnar | 1916* | First World War | Kut-el-Amara, Mesopotamia | |
Cecil Buckley | HMS Miranda | 1855 | Crimean War | Sea of Azov, Crimea | |
Henry Cooper | HMS Miranda | 1855 | Crimean War | Taganrog, Crimea | |
William Savage | HM Motor Gun Boat 314 | 1942* | Second World War | St. Nazaire, France | |
Edward Bingham | HMS Nestor | 1916 | First World War | Battle of Jutland, Denmark | |
William Odgers | HMS Niger | 1860 | New Zealand Wars | Omata, New Zealand | |
Robert Sherbrooke | HMS Onslow | 1942 | Second World War | North Cape, Norway | |
George Day | HMS Recruit | 1855 | Crimean War | Genitichi, Crimea | |
Wilfred Malleson | SS River Clyde | 1915 | First World War | Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey | |
Edward Unwin | SS River Clyde | 1915 | First World War | Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey | |
William Williams | SS River Clyde | 1915* | First World War | Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey | |
William Hall | HMS Shannon/Naval Brigade | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Siege of Lucknow, India | |
George Hinckley | HMS Sphinx | 1862 | Taiping Rebellion | Fung Wha, China | |
Loftus Jones | HMS Shark | 1916* | First World War | Battle of Jutland, Denmark | |
Hugh Burgoyne | HMS Swallow | 1855 | Crimean War | Sea of Azov, Crimea | |
Thomas Gould | HMS Thrasher | 1942 | Second World War | Crete, Mediterranean | |
Peter Roberts | HMS Thrasher | 1942 | Second World War | Crete, Mediterranean | |
Anthony Miers | HMS Torbay | 1942 | Second World War | Corfu, Greece | |
John Linton | HMS Turbulent | 1943* | Second World War | Mediterranean | |
Malcolm Wanklyn | HMS Upholder | 1941* | Second World War | Sicily, Mediterranean | |
Eric Robinson | HMS Vengeance | 1915 | First World War | Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey | |
Alfred Carpenter | HMS Vindictive | 1918 | First World War | Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium | |
Victor Crutchley | HMS Vindictive | 1918 | First World War | Ostend, Belgium | |
Arthur Harrison | HMS Vindictive | 1918* | First World War | Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium | |
Albert McKenzie | HMS Vindictive | 1918 | First World War | Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium | |
Frederick Peters | HMS Walney | 1942 | Second World War | Oran, Algeria | |
John Commerell | HMS Weser | 1855 | Crimean War | Sea of Azov, Crimea | |
William Rickard | HMS Weser | 1855 | Crimean War | Sea of Azov, Crimea | |
Joseph Kellaway | HMS Wrangler | 1855 | Crimean War | Sea of Azov, Crimea | |
James Magennis | HMS XE3 | 1945 | Second World War | Johore Straits, Singapore | |
Basil Place | HMS X7 | 1943 | Second World War | Kåfjord, Norway | |
Henry Curtis | Naval Brigade | 1855 | Crimean War | Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea | |
James Gorman | Naval Brigade | 1854 | Crimean War | Battle of Inkerman, Crimea | |
Basil Guy | Naval Brigade | 1900 | Boxer Rebellion | Tientsin, China | |
John Harrison | Naval Brigade | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Siege of Lucknow, India | |
William Peel | Naval Brigade | 1854 | Crimean War | Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea | |
Henry Raby | Naval Brigade | 1855 | Crimean War | Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea | |
Thomas Reeves | Naval Brigade | 1854 | Crimean War | Battle of Inkerman, Crimea | |
Edward Robinson | Naval Brigade | 1858 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Siege of Lucknow, India | |
Nowell Salmon | Naval Brigade | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Siege of Lucknow, India | |
Mark Scholefield | Naval Brigade | 1854 | Crimean War | Battle of Inkerman, Crimea | |
John Sheppard | Naval Brigade | 1855 | Crimean War | Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea | |
John Sullivan | Naval Brigade | 1855 | Crimean War | Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea | |
John Taylor | Naval Brigade | 1855 | Crimean War | Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea | |
Thomas Young | Naval Brigade | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Siege of Lucknow, India | |
Richard Bell-Davies | No. 3 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service |
1915 | First World War | Ferrijik Junction, Bulgaria | |
Reginald Warneford | No. 1 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service |
1915 | First World War | Ghent, Belgium | |
George Dowell | Royal Marine Artillery | 1855 | Crimean War | Fort of Viborg, Gulf of Finland | |
Norman Finch | Royal Marine Artillery | 1918 | First World War | Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium | |
Frederick Lumsden | Royal Marine Artillery | 1917 | First World War | Francilly, France | |
Thomas Wilkinson | Royal Marine Artillery | 1855 | Crimean War | Siege of Sevastopol, Crimea | |
Edward Bamford | Royal Marine Light Infantry | 1918 | First World War | Zeebrugge Raid, Belgium | |
Lewis Halliday | Royal Marine Light Infantry | 1900 | Boxer Rebellion | Peking, China | |
Francis Harvey | Royal Marine Light Infantry | 1916* | First World War | Battle of Jutland, Denmark | |
Walter Parker | Royal Marine Light Infantry | 1915 | First World War | Gaba Tepe, Gallipoli, Turkey | |
John Prettyjohns | Royal Marine Light Infantry | 1854 | Crimean War | Battle of Inkerman, Crimea | |
Daniel Beak | Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve | 1918 | First World War | Logeast Wood, France | |
Rowland Louis | Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve | 1918 | First World War | Ostend, Belgium | |
Charles Cowley | Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve | 1916* | First World War | Kut-el-Amara, Mesopotamia | |
Percy Dean | Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve | 1918 | First World War | Zeebrugge, Belgium | |
Geoffrey Drummond | Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve | 1918 | First World War | Ostend, Belgium | |
Bernard Freyberg | Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve | 1916 | First World War | Battle of the Ancre, France | |
George Prowse | Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve | 1918 | First World War | Pronville, France | |
Arthur Tisdall | Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve | 1915 | First World War | Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey | |
Harold Auten | Royal Naval Reserve | 1918 | First World War | English Channel, England | |
Charles Bonner | Royal Naval Reserve | 1917 | First World War | Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Ocean | |
Donald Cameron | Royal Naval Reserve | 1943 | Second World War | Kåfjord, Norway | |
Thomas Crisp | Royal Naval Reserve | 1917* | First World War | North Sea | |
George Drewry | Royal Naval Reserve | 1915 | First World War | Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey | |
Ian Fraser | Royal Naval Reserve | 1945 | Second World War | Johore Straits, Singapore | |
Frederick Parslow | Royal Naval Reserve | 1915* | First World War | Atlantic Ocean | |
George Samson | Royal Naval Reserve | 1915 | First World War | Battle of Gallipoli, Turkey | |
William Sanders | Royal Naval Reserve | 1917* | First World War | Atlantic Ocean | |
Archibald Smith | Royal Naval Reserve | 1917* | First World War | Atlantic Ocean | |
Richard Stannard | Royal Naval Reserve | 1940 | Second World War | Namsos, Norway | |
Ronald Stuart | Royal Naval Reserve | 1917 | First World War | Atlantic Ocean | |
Joseph Watt | Royal Naval Reserve | 1917 | First World War | Strait of Otranto, Italy | |
Thomas Wilkinson | Royal Naval Reserve | 1942* | Second World War | Java Sea, Malaya | |
William Williams | Royal Naval Reserve | 1917 | First World War | Atlantic Ocean |