On 29th January 1856 Queen Victoria signed the Warrant that brought the Victoria Cross – the highest British bravery award for 'gallantry in the face of the enemy' – into existence.
Originally the medal had a blue ribbon if the recipient was a member of the Royal Navy whilst the medals awarded to members of the British Army had crimson ribbons. All medals awarded since 1918 have had crimson ribbons.
Flight Lieutenant John Alexander Cruickshank (No.210 Squadron, Royal Air Force) – who was born 20th May 1920 – is currently the oldest living recipient of the Victoria Cross, with Keith Payne (born on 30th August 1933) of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam being the second oldest, Captain Rambahadur Limbu (born on 8th July 1939) of 2nd Battalion, 10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles was given his award three years earlier than Keith Payne, but is nearly six years younger.
The four most recent recipients* are:
* I have omitted the four recipients of the Victoria Cross for Australia (which was established in 1975) and the one recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand (which was established in 1999), as these awards were made under the aegis of the national honours systems of their respective countries.
Since it was created, the medal has been awarded 1,358 times to 1,355 individual recipients, with three people – Dr Noel Chavasse (both World War I), Dr Arthur Martin-Leake (South Africa and World War I), and Charles Upham (both World War II) – being given the award twice.The Victoria Cross is a bronze cross pattée. It is 41mm high and 36mm wide, and bears the crown of Saint Edward surmounted by a lion and the inscription FOR VALOUR. On the reverse of the cross the date of the act for which it was awarded is engraved inside a circular panel, whilst the recipient's name, rank, number, and unit are engraved on the reverse of the suspension bar.
Originally the medal had a blue ribbon if the recipient was a member of the Royal Navy whilst the medals awarded to members of the British Army had crimson ribbons. All medals awarded since 1918 have had crimson ribbons.
Flight Lieutenant John Alexander Cruickshank (No.210 Squadron, Royal Air Force) – who was born 20th May 1920 – is currently the oldest living recipient of the Victoria Cross, with Keith Payne (born on 30th August 1933) of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam being the second oldest, Captain Rambahadur Limbu (born on 8th July 1939) of 2nd Battalion, 10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles was given his award three years earlier than Keith Payne, but is nearly six years younger.
The four most recent recipients* are:
- Johnson Beharry (1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires)) – Iraq
- Bryan Budd (Parachute Regiment) – Afghanistan – Posthumous Award
- James Ashworth (1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards) – Afghanistan – Posthumous Award
- Joshua Leakey (Parachute Regiment) – Afghanistan
* I have omitted the four recipients of the Victoria Cross for Australia (which was established in 1975) and the one recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand (which was established in 1999), as these awards were made under the aegis of the national honours systems of their respective countries.
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One of the earliest Canadian winners, and the first Black recipient was born and is buried across the Avon River from me. Petty Officer William Hall earned the VC at Lucknow with the Shannon's Naval Brigade.
ReplyDeleteRoss Mac,
DeleteI'd heard of William Hall VC ... but had never realised that he was black and from Nova Scotia.
All the best,
Bob
Thank you for another informative post. File under things I wish I knew more about.
ReplyDeleteMike Taber,
DeleteI'm pleased to read that you found this blog entry informative, I certainly enjoyed doing the research for it.
All the best,
Bob