Victoria Cross facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Victoria Cross
Obverse of the cross; ribbon: 1+1⁄2 inches (38 mm), crimson (blue ribbon for naval awards 1856–1918)
Type	Military decoration
Eligibility	Persons of any rank in the Naval, Military and Air Forces of the United Kingdom, its colonies or territories, and Commonwealth countries that award UK honours; members of the Merchant Navy; and civilians serving under the orders, directions or supervision of any of the above-mentioned forces or services
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"
Status	active
Description	Bronze Cross pattée with Crown and Lion Superimposed, and motto: "For Valour"
Clasps	Bars can be awarded for further acts of valour
Post-nominals	VC
Statistics
Established	29 January 1856
Order of Wear
Next (higher)	None
Next (lower)	George Cross
Ribbon bar Second award bar

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most important award for bravery in the United Kingdom. It is given for great courage "in the presence of the enemy". This means someone showed extreme bravery while facing the enemy. Members of the British Armed Forces can receive it. It can also be given posthumously, which means after someone has died.

In the past, the VC was also given to service members in the wider British Empire and later Commonwealth of Nations. Now, most of these countries have their own awards. The VC can be given to anyone in the military, no matter their rank. Civilians under military command could also receive it, but none have since 1879.

Queen Victoria first presented these awards in 1857. Since then, two-thirds of all VCs have been given out by the British monarch in person. These ceremonies usually happen at Buckingham Palace.

Queen Victoria started the VC on January 29, 1856. This was to honor brave actions during the Crimean War. Since then, the medal has been given 1,358 times to 1,355 different people. Only 15 VCs have been awarded since the Second World War. Eleven of these went to the British Army and four to the Australian Army.

People used to believe the metal for the VCs came from a Russian cannon. This cannon was captured at the siege of Sevastopol. However, new research shows that most medals made since December 1914 came from two old Chinese cannons. The VC is very valuable. Some have sold for over £400,000 at auctions. Many collections are dedicated to the Victoria Cross.

Countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have created their own national awards. These awards are separate from the British system. They have their own versions of the Victoria Cross. These are the Victoria Cross for Australia, the Canadian Victoria Cross, and the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. They are unique awards for each country.

How the Victoria Cross Started

In 1854, Britain was fighting a major war against Russia. This was the Crimean War. It was one of the first wars with modern news reporting. Reporters like William Howard Russell wrote about many brave acts by British soldiers. These acts often went unrecognized.

Before the Crimean War, Britain did not have a standard way to honor bravery in its armed forces. Officers could get awards like the Order of the Bath. They could also get special promotions called brevet promotions. A Mention in Despatches was another award for less brave acts. But these awards were very limited. They mostly went to high-ranking officers.

Other European countries had awards for all soldiers, regardless of their social class or rank. For example, France had the Légion d'honneur. The Netherlands had the Order of William. People in Britain, including the Royal Court, felt a new award was needed. This award would recognize bravery that was not linked to a soldier's rank or length of service.

Queen Victoria officially created the VC on January 29, 1856. The award was made to include brave acts from 1854. This meant soldiers from the Crimean War could receive it. Queen Victoria wanted a simple award that soldiers would highly value. She decided to call it the Victoria Cross.

The first rules said the VC would only be given to officers and men. They had to have served near the enemy. They also had to perform a very brave act. The first ceremony was on June 26, 1857. Queen Victoria personally gave VCs to 62 soldiers in Hyde Park, London.

How VCs Are Made

One company of jewelers, Hancocks & Co, has made every VC since it began. Many people believed that all VCs were made from Russian cannons. These cannons were captured at the siege of Sevastopol.

However, research shows this is not entirely true. Studies using X-rays found that most VCs made since December 1914 use metal from old Chinese guns. These cannons were likely taken during the First Opium War. They were stored in a special place called the Woolwich repository.

A small piece of the original cannon metal still exists. It weighs about 10 kilograms (358 ounces). It is kept in a secure vault. Experts believe about 80 to 85 more VCs could be made from this metal.

What the Victoria Cross Looks Like

The front and back of Edward Holland's VC

The Victoria Cross is a bronze cross pattée. It is about 41 millimeters (1.6 inches) high and 36 millimeters (1.4 inches) wide. It has the crown of Saint Edward with a lion on top. The words "for valour" are written on it. This phrase means "for great courage." Queen Victoria changed it from "for the brave." She felt the original phrase suggested only those who received the cross were brave.

The medal, its bar, and link weigh about 27 grams (0.87 troy ounces). The cross hangs from a "V" shape connected to a bar. This bar has laurel leaves on it. The ribbon goes through this bar. The back of the bar has the recipient's name, rank, number, and unit. The back of the medal shows the date of the brave act.

The original document said the VC should be a "Maltese cross of bronze." But it has always been a cross pattée. This difference has never been corrected.

The ribbon is crimson, about 38 millimeters (1.5 inches) wide. At first, army VCs had red ribbons and navy VCs had dark blue ones. But after the Royal Air Force was formed in 1918, all VCs were given a red ribbon. This change happened on May 22, 1920.

Since 1917, a tiny copy of the Cross is attached to the ribbon bar. This is worn when the full medal is not. If someone gets a second VC, a second tiny copy is worn next to the first.

How the Award Is Given

Who Can Get a VC?

The obverse of William Johnstone's VC showing the dark blue ribbon for pre-1918 awards to naval personnel

The Victoria Cross is given 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."

An officer usually suggests someone for the VC. This suggestion needs to be supported by three witnesses. The suggestion then goes up the military chain of command. Finally, it reaches the Secretary of State for Defence. The monarch then approves the award. VC awards are always announced in London Gazette. The only exception was the award to the American Unknown Soldier in 1921.

Queen Victoria wanted to present the medals herself. She presented 185 of the 472 VCs given during her reign. Nearly 900 awards have been personally presented by the reigning British monarch. Other awards were presented by royal family members or military leaders. Some were sent by mail, or details of the presentation are unknown.

At first, VCs were not given after someone died. But this changed over time. In 1902, the first official posthumous VCs were awarded. By 1920, the rules were changed to allow posthumous awards. About one-quarter of all VCs from World War I were given after the recipient had died.

The selection process for the VC has sometimes been seen as inconsistent. Some historians believe VCs might be given more often for battles that military leaders want to promote publicly. The 1920 rules also allowed women in the Armed Forces to receive the VC. However, no woman has ever been awarded one.

Special Rules for Awards

If a group of soldiers or sailors performs a very brave act, and all are equally deserving, a special ballot is held. The officers choose one officer. The non-commissioned officers (NCOs) choose one person. The private soldiers or seamen choose two people.

In total, 46 VCs have been awarded this way. Most of these were during the Indian Mutiny. The last ballot awards for the army were in 1915. The last naval ballot awards were in 1917 and 1918. This ballot rule is still in place, but it has not been used since 1918.

Between 1858 and 1881, the VC could be given for acts of bravery not directly facing the enemy. Six such awards were made. But in 1881, the rules changed again. The VC was then only awarded for bravery "in the face of the enemy."

Awards to Colonial Troops

The Victoria Cross was extended to colonial troops in 1867. This happened after Major Charles Heaphy from New Zealand was recommended for bravery. He was fighting in the New Zealand Wars under British command.

Later, countries like India and Pakistan created their own awards. The VC was replaced by the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) in India and the Nishan-e-Haider (NH) in Pakistan. Most new award systems still let people wear their British honors.

Victoria Cross as it appears on Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstones.

Australia was the first Commonwealth country to create its own VC in 1991. It looks exactly like the British one. Canada followed in 1993. The Canadian VC is similar but says "pro valore" (for valour in Latin) instead of "for valour." New Zealand also created its own VC. The New Zealand and Australian VCs are made from the same gunmetal as the British VC. The Canadian VC also uses metal from the same cannon, plus Canadian metals.

There have been five recipients of the Victoria Cross for Australia. Four were for actions in Afghanistan. One was for action in the Second World War. The Victoria Cross for New Zealand has been awarded once. This was to Corporal Willie Apiata in 2007 for actions in Afghanistan. The Canadian Victoria Cross has been cast once. It was meant for the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier but the plan was changed.

Special Privileges

Importance of the VC

The Victoria Cross is the highest award for bravery in the United Kingdom. It is always the first award given at a ceremony. It is also the first medal worn in a row of medals. The letters "VC" are always the first post-nominal letters used to show an award. The George Cross (GC) is for similar brave acts not facing the enemy. It has equal importance but is awarded second because it is newer.

There is a tradition that all military ranks salute a VC holder. This is not a written rule, but it is widely followed. So, even a high-ranking general will salute a private soldier who has been awarded a VC.

At first, VC holders could wear their medal however they liked. But in 1881, clear rules were made. In 1902, Edward VII gave the cross its current position on a bar. The cross can also be worn as a miniature on special occasions.

Money for VC Holders

The original rules said that non-commissioned officers and private soldiers with a VC would get £10 per year. In 1898, Queen Victoria increased this to £50 for those who could not earn a living. Today, VC holders receive an annual payment. The British Government pays £10,000 per year, which is tax-free. Canada pays Can$3,000 per year. Australia also provides a Victoria Cross Allowance.

Forfeited Awards

In the past, a VC could be taken away if a recipient did something very wrong. Eight VCs were taken away between 1861 and 1908. The power to cancel and restore awards is still in the VC rules.

However, King George V strongly believed that a VC should never be taken away. In 1920, he stated that no matter what crime was committed, the decoration should not be forfeited.

People Who Received the VC

"Lucknow 16 November 1857. The 93rd Highlanders Entering The Breach At The Storming of the Secundrabagh" depicts 93rd Highlanders storming Sikandar Bagh, 17 VCs were awarded for the action.

""James Hill Johnes, VC, Attacking the Enemy" by Frank Nowlan depicts James Hills-Johnes earning his Victoria Cross at the siege of Delhi in July 1857

A total of 1,358 Victoria Crosses have been awarded since 1856 to 1,355 individuals. The most VCs awarded on a single day was 24. This happened during the Indian Mutiny on November 16, 1857. The most VCs won by one unit in a single action was seven. This was by the 2nd/24th Foot at Rorke's Drift during the Zulu War. The most VCs won in one conflict was 628 during the First World War.

Ishar Singh was the first Indian Sikh to receive the award. Eight of the 12 living VC holders attended a special service in Westminster Abbey in 2006.

Three people have received the VC and a Bar. A bar means they received a second VC. These are Noel Godfrey Chavasse and Arthur Martin-Leake, both doctors. They rescued wounded soldiers under fire. The third is New Zealander Captain Charles Upham, an infantryman. He is the only combat soldier to receive a VC and Bar for combat actions.

Since the end of the Second World War, the original VC has been awarded 15 times. This includes four in the Korean War, one in the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation, four to Australians in the Vietnam War, two in the Falklands War, one in the Iraq War, and three in the War in Afghanistan.

In 1921, the British Unknown Warrior received the US Medal of Honor. In return, the Victoria Cross was given to the American Unknown Soldier of the First World War. This VC was not officially announced, which is normal for awards to foreign recipients.

Public Sales and Thefts

More than 300 Victoria Crosses have been sold publicly since 1879. Others have been sold privately. The value of the VC has increased a lot over time. In 1955, a VC sold for £300. In 2004, one sold for £235,250. In 2006, a VC sold for A$1 million (about £410,000). In 2009, a VC and bar sold for almost £1.5 million.

Several VCs have been stolen. They are on Interpol's watch-list for stolen items. A VC awarded to Milton Fowler Gregg was stolen from a museum in Canada in 1980 and is still missing. Another VC, awarded to Filip Konowal, was stolen from the same museum in 1973 but was found in 2004.

In 2007, nine VCs were among 100 medals stolen from the QEII Army Memorial Museum in New Zealand. These included Charles Upham's VC and Bar. The medals were worth about NZ$20 million. A reward of NZ$300,000 was offered. All the medals were recovered in 2008.

Collections of VCs

There are several collections of Victoria Crosses. Businessman and politician Lord Ashcroft has the largest collection. It has 162 medals, which is more than one-tenth of all VCs ever awarded. In 2008, Lord Ashcroft gave £5 million to the Imperial War Museum. This was for a permanent gallery to display his collection alongside the museum's own VCs. The Lord Ashcroft Gallery opened in 2010. It holds 210 VCs and 31 George Crosses.

Before the Ashcroft Gallery opened, the Australian War Memorial had the largest public collection. It includes all nine VCs awarded to Australians at Gallipoli. This collection has about 70 VCs.

Many museums around the world have collections of VCs. Some of the largest include:

Legacy and Memorials

In 2004, a national Victoria Cross and George Cross memorial was placed in Westminster Abbey. It is near the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Westminster Abbey is a famous place with memorials to important British figures.

A historian named Canon William Lummis created a record of VC holders. This record included their service and where they were buried. Later, David Harvey continued this work, resulting in his book Monuments to Courage. In 2007, the Royal Mail used Lummis's archives to make stamps honoring VC recipients.

In the Australian Army, soldiers' clubs on military bases are often named after VC recipients. Australia also has a special way to remember VC holders. The Remembrance Drive is a path linking Sydney and Canberra. Trees were planted along this route in memory of fallen soldiers. Since 1995, 23 rest stops have been named after Australian VC recipients from World War II onwards.

Valour Road is a street in Winnipeg, Canada. It is named after three World War I VC recipients who lived on that street. Their story is also told in a short film shown on Canadian television.

VCs in Art

Artists have often shown soldiers earning the VC. Louis William Desanges painted 50 such pictures in the late 1850s and early 1860s. Many of these were shown in London. Later, they were gathered into the Victoria Cross Gallery. Some paintings were damaged or destroyed.

During World War II, some brave acts were shown in a propaganda pamphlet. The images were commissioned by the Ministry of Information. In 2016, a photographer named Rory Lewis took portraits of all living VC and George Cross recipients.

See also

In Spanish: Cruz Victoria para niños

• Dickin Medal (The animals' VC)