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

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

The Victoria Cross (VC) is a naval and military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. It takes precedence over all other postnominals 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. 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 VC has been awarded on 1356 occasions to 1353 individual recipients.

The VC was introduced on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria to reward acts of valour during the Crimean 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. Recent research has thrown doubt on this story, suggesting a variety of origins. The original Royal Warrant did not contain a specific clause regarding posthumous awards, although official policy was to not award the VC posthumously. Between 1897 and 1901, several notices were issued in the London Gazette regarding soldiers who would have been awarded the VC had they survived. In a partial reversal of policy in 1902, six of the soldiers mentioned were granted the VC, but not "officially" awarded the medal. In 1907, the posthumous policy was completely reversed and medals were sent to the next of kin of the six officers and men. The Victoria Cross warrant was not officially amended to explicitly allow posthumous awards until 1920 but one quarter of all awards for the First World War were posthumous.

Within this list, the date of action listed is the year in which the action took place for which the VC was awarded. The most naval Victoria Crosses awarded in a single conflict were for the First World War, followed by the Second World War and then the Crimean War. There have been a total of 117 recipients of the Victoria Cross who served with the Royal Navy. Sixty-eight awards were to ship-based Royal Navy personnel, with 49 given to those who served with other organisations within the British naval service, such as the Royal Naval Brigade and the Royal Marines. The Royal Marines have received 10 Victoria Crosses, the Royal Naval Reserve and Volunteer Reserve being awarded 22 VCs. Richard Bell-Davies of the Royal Naval Air Service also received an award. Note: this list does not include naval awards of the VC to persons serving in navies other than the British, i.e. Lieut. R.H. ("Hammy") Gray, VC, DSC, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve.

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.