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victoria cross (dict)
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Victoria CrossThe 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. The medal takes the form of a cross patte, 1.375 inches (35 mm) wide, bearing a crown surmounted by a lion, and the inscription "FOR VALOUR". This was originally to have been "FOR BRAVERY", until it was changed on the recommendation of Queen Victoria, who thought some might erroneously consider that only the recipients of the VC were brave in battle. The medal, suspension bar and link weigh about 0.87 troy ounces (27 g). The ribbon is crimson, 1.5 inches (38 mm) wide. There is only enough of the metal left to create 85 more medals. Historical background 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. Since its inception it has been awarded 1355 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 13 times. Two were awarded during the Falklands War in 1982. Only three people have been awarded the Victoria Cross twice, Noel Chavasse, Arthur Martin-Leake, both members of The Royal Army Medical Corps, 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. Only one in ten VC recipients is said to have survived the action for which they won the VC. 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. The Canadian Victoria Cross, instituted in 1993 and never awarded, as of 2005, is inscribed in Latin rather than English. Victoria Cross after 2000 In March 2002, it was widely reported in the British media that the VC was to be awarded to an unnamed Regimental Sergeant-Major in the 22nd Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment, for his involvement in fighting in the Tora Bora cave complex in November 2001. There was some debate over whether he should be named - a position favoured by the Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, but a compromise was reached that his name, and some specific details of the action, would be withheld from the official announcement in the London Gazette. However, this did not happen; the VC award was never confirmed, and he and another member of the SAS, who had also been discussed as a possible VC recipient, were awarded Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses in October 2002 instead. In April of 2004 the Victoria Cross awarded to Sergeant Norman Jackson RAF was sold at auction for 235,250 Duncan Gordon Boyes, VC is presently being celebrated on posters on the Victoria line, London underground (November 2004) along with nine other recipients http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/3991993.stm. On March 18 2005, Private Johnson Gideon Beharry of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment became the first recipient of the Victoria Cross in over two decades. He was cited for "valour of the highest order" during the Iraq War. Beharry is included in a list of more than 140 British troops awarded honours for roles in Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Liberia, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom and Congo. Related Articles Reference External links
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