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Victoria Cross, Source: Veterans Affairs Canada The Victoria Cross (official post-nominal letters "VC") is the highest award for valour that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces of any rank in any service and civilians under military command.
Historical Background
The original inscription on the cross was intended to be "FOR BRAVERY" but this was amended to "FOR VALOUR" on the recommendation of Queen Victoria who thought some might erroneously consider that only recipients were brave in battle.
The VC was first issued on January 29 1856, recognising acts of valour during the Crimean War of 1854-1855. All VCs are cast from the bronze of two Chinese cannon that were reputedly captured from the Russians at the siege of Sevastopol. Some historians doubt the cannon were at Sevastopol.
The medal takes the form of a cross pattée, 1.375 inches wide, bearing a crown surmounted by a lion, and the inscription. The ribbon is crimson, 1.5 inches wide.
Since its inception it has been awarded 1354 times. The largest number of VCs awarded in a single day was 24 on November 16 1857 at the relief of Lucknow. The largest number awarded in a single action was 11 at Rorke's Drift on January 22 1879. Since the end of the Second World War the VC has been awarded only 11 times. The last two were awarded during the Falklands War in 1982. Only three people have been awarded the Victoria Cross twice, Noel Chavasse, Arthur Martin-Leake and New Zealander Charles Upham. The second award is designated by a bar worn on the suspension ribbon of the original decoration and this is thus known as a VC and Bar and since a small cross device is worn on the VC ribbon when worn alone, a recipient of the VC and bar would wear two such crosses on the ribbon.
The VC has, exceptionally, been awarded to the American Unknown Soldier (the reciprocal award of the US Medal of Honor being made to the British Unknown Warrior).
Since the VC is awarded for acts of valour "in the face of the enemy", it is thought by some that the changing nature of warfare will result in few VCs being awarded.
The corresponding honour for civilians or for acts of valour that do not qualify as "in the face of the enemy" by servicemen and women is the George Cross.
Australia, Canada and New Zealand have each introduced their own honours system, replacing British medals such as the Military Cross with their own awards. However each country has kept the Victoria Cross as their highest honour.
Recent News
In April of 2004 the Victoria Cross awarded to Sergeant Norman Jackson RAF was sold at auction for £235,250 (GBP).
Duncan Gordon Boyes, VC is presently being celebrated on posters on the Victoria line, London underground (November 2004) along with nine other recipients. Details of the poster campaign are here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/3991993.stm).
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