Victoria Cross

This page contains a description of the Victoria Cross (VC) and also a list of recipients.  There is a separate page for each recipient.

History

The VC was instituted in 1856, but was back-dated to the autumn of 1854 to cover the Crimean War.  The Cross was created to recognise and reward outstanding acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy.  The award was open to all ranks and services in the presence of the enemy.  Where the act of bravery was performed by a group of men, officers and other ranks has the privilege of selecting one of more of their number to receive the honour.  This was the case for some of the VCs awarded for Elandslaagte.

The Cross consists of a Maltese Cross of bronze made from the metal from one of the Russian guns captured at Sebastopol.  It has the Royal Crest in the centre and beneath a scroll bearing the words 'For Valour'.  On the reverse of the cross is engraved the date of the act of bravery while the name of the recipient is engraved on the back of the suspender.

Initially, the ribbon for the Navy was blue and for the Army was red. However, by Royal Warrant of 22 May 1920, signed by Winston Churchill, the ribbon became red for all services.  When the ribbon is worn, a small replica of the cross is fitted to the centre.

A Bar to the Cross can be awarded for a subsequent act of equal bravery.  Throughout the history of the Cross, only 3 bars have ever been awarded.  

Recipients of the VC

78 VCs were awarded for the Boer War.  The attached .PDF file (41KB) gives a list of recipients.  Click here for the index of recipients and links to the individual pages.

A bar to the Victoria Cross has been awarded on three occasions, two of these linked to the Boer War.  The first to gain the distinction was Lieutenant A Martin-Leake, the second was Captain N G Chavasse, who unfortunately did not live to receive the reward which he had earned with such great gallantry.  Both officers belonged to the Medical Profession.