Mystery of the victoria cross buried in mud on the banks of the thames. Winnipegs boys of valour road commemorated at world war i. Clarkson examines the history of the victoria cross, and follows the story of one of the 1,354 men who were awarded it. Victoria cross, the highest decoration for valour in the british armed forces, awarded for extreme bravery in the face of the enemy. The victoria cross is the highest military accolade for britain and those in the commonwealth countries and awarded for valour in the face of the enemy to members of the armed forces. Jeremey clarkson examines the history of the victoria cross, and follows the story of one of the 1,354 men who were awarded it major robert henry cain. The first winners of the victoria cross illustrated. In 1854, after 40 years of peace, britain found itself fighting a major war against russia. The observer in september 1944 at the battle of arnhem, major cain won what was described as the finest victoria cross of the whole war. Military medal victoria cross the highest military decoration for valour new rare copy. May 15, 2010 jeremy clarkson presents a documentary on the victoria cross, some of the people who have been awarded it and their stories, focusing on robert cain.
Wikipedia lists the recipients of the victoria cross. Victoria cross explained everything explained today. If you have a passing interest in the victoria cross or wish to be reminded of the spirit of man and how selfless a person can be then i would recommend that you read victoria cross heroes. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. It was instituted in 1856 by queen victoria at the request of her consort, prince albert. Watch educational page 6 of 44 documentaries online free. Victoria cross synonyms, victoria cross pronunciation, victoria cross translation, english dictionary definition of victoria cross. The victoria cross, a british silent film by harold m. The canadian victoria cross is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or preeminent act of valour or selfsacrifice or extreme devotion to duty, in the presence of the enemy. The 628 awards of the victoria cross given for action during the first world war account for almost half the 56 victoria crosses awarded throughout its history. Deadline the grand tour producer andy wilman reveals how coronavirus put the brakes. Why was the victoria cross formed in 1857, and how has it evolved. Lord michael ashcroft needs to take bow for the work he has done in.
Cameron stewart baird, vc, mg 7 june 1981 22 june 20 was a soldier in the australian army who was posthumously awarded the victoria cross for australia, the highest award in the australian honours system. For valour the best programme jeremy clarkson has ever made. The victoria cross takes the form of a maltese cross shape medal made of bronze, the obverse of which has as its main feature the royal crown surmounted by a standing lion with a ribbon underneath bearing the motto for valour. The victoria cross vc is the highest military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemy to members of the armed forces of commonwealth countries. The awards were established as part of the institution of the australian honours system. For valour is a 1937 british comedy film directed by tom walls and starring walls, ralph lynn. Whilst the bravery of officers could be recognised via the order of the bath, no such award was available for ordinary servicemen. The victoria cross is canadas highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. The victoria cross, an american film biography of florence nightingale. The victoria cross vc is the highest and most prestigious award in the commonwealth countries it is was. A royal marine has been recommended for the victoria cross after he threw himself on to an exploding grenade to save the lives of his comrades.
In this case, william howard russell of the times reported on the bravery of the common soldier and pushed for a bravery award that could be given to the common soldier in recognition of his bravery. Canadian british victoria cross canadian world war 2 victoria cross was given for an act of valour. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and to civilians under military command. Richard joyes was awarded the cross of valour for his efforts to rescue those in the sari club on 12 october 2002 during the bali bombing. Jeremy clarkson discovers what he did to achieve this accolade. Victoria cross british military decoration britannica. The first crosses were awarded during the crimean war. They tell the story of those men, either born or resident of victoria, or who enlisted here, who were recipients of the victoria cross, the british empires highest award for bravery.
The victoria cross vc is the highest recognition for valour in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to members of the british and commonwealth armed forces of any rank in any service, and civilians under military command. Its shape, however, more closely resembles a cross pattee. Baird is the fourth person to receive the victoria cross for australia during operation slipper. In the centre is the royal crown with a lion standing guard upon it. After completing her training, violette went on her first mission to france in april. New zealand and the victoria cross new zealand and the. Victoria cross hope for marine who leaped on a grenade to. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians under military command although no civilian ha. For valour 2003 jeremy clarkson meets the neighbours. He, along with others, ran towards the bombsite and fought his way through intense flames to help rescue the wounded and carry them to safety. For valour, a 2003 bbc television historical documentary. This landmark series also includes moving interviews with many of the twelve living holders of the ultimate award for bravery in warfare.
Daunt of 11th bengal native infantry, who charged two grapeshot shooting cannon at chota behar. How to tell the difference between the victoria cross and the. It was previously awarded to commonwealth countries, most of which have established their own honours systems and no longer recommend british honours. The cross of valour is a gold, straightarmed cross pattee with diminishing rays between the arms. Jeremy clarkson presents a documentary on the victoria cross, some of the people who have been awarded it and their stories, focusing on robert cain. Victoria cross heroes uses firsthand testimony, rare archive film and dramatic reconstructions to tell some of the remarkable stories of the 1,351 heroes awarded the vc during the past 150 years. The queen awarded the first victoria cross medals in 1857 for acts of bravery in 1854 in the crimean war. The obverse has the shield and crest of the commonwealth coat of arms surmounted by a federation star. The victoria cross was introduced on 29 january 1856 by queen victoria to honour acts of valour during the crimean war.
An informative and wellpresented story of the history of the victoria cross with an emphasis on the exploits of one recipient at the battle of arnhem in 1944. We have taken the data which contains geographic locations relating to where actions took place to receive an award and. The victoria cross vc was awarded to 23 members of the british armed forces and colonial forces for actions performed during the anglozulu war of 1879. On 28 may 1943, gibson was awarded a vc for his bravery and leadership.
Clarkson examines the history of the victoria cross, and follows the story of one of the 1,354 men who were awarded it major robert henry cain. In 1944, major robert cain won what was described as the finest victoria cross of wwii. Clarkson examines the history of the victoria cross, and follows the story of one of the 1,354 men who. Victoria cross simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The victoria cross vc is the highest military medal given for bravery in the face of the enemy to members of the defence forces of commonwealth countries, and former british empire territories. The cross of valour is available to canadian civilians who have performed acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril. New critical essays the first people to receive the victoria cross were featured in the illustrated london news in november, 1914 the recipient of the very first medal to be awarded was also one of the first to lose his life. Queen victoria took a keen interest in the decoration which bore her name and it was she who suggested the words for valour beneath the medals bronze maltese cross rather than for the brave, which she pointed out could be taken to imply that other people were not. The victoria cross, according to the instituting royal warrant establishing rules and ordinances governing its bestowal, shall only be awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or preeminent act of valour or selfsacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.
The story of the victoria cross leyland, eric, kenney, john t. The victoria cross vc is the highest military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemy to members of the armed forces of various commonwealth. Born today most popular celebs most popular celebs celebrity news. Victoria cross with blue naval ribbon awarded during the first world war to boy, 1st class john travers cornwell for gallantry. The victoria cross was designed, according to the original warrant for the award, to be in the form of the maltese cross. Queen victoria presented the first victoria cross awards in 1857 at a ceremony attended by 100,000 people in hyde park. George cross for hero whos already got a victoria cross thats his girlfriends name. The victoria cross is a military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemy to members of the armed forces of some commonwealth. This is the first of eight volumes to be published in association with the victoria cross trust.
The victoria cross for australia is the decoration for according recognition to persons who in the presence of the enemy, perform acts of the most conspicuous gallantry, or daring or preeminent acts of valour or selfsacrifice or display. Clarkson examines the history of the victoria cross, and follows the story of one of. For valour tv movie 2003 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. The cross of valour was established in 1975 as the highest australian bravery award. After the necessary statutory declaration was completed and. From the early days of the crimean war, stories abounded of the outstanding bravery of the british army in the most appalling conditions. Created in 1993, it and the original are the highest honours in the canadian. It is awarded for valour in the presence of the enemy to members of the british armed forces. John chard interesting stories about famous people. George cross for hero whos already got a victoria cross. A total of 22 vcs have been awarded to new zealand military personnel, including two won by charles upham.
Victorias world war one egacy recipients of the victoria cross the following 26 stories are about outstanding valour on the battlefields of the great war. Victoria cross won by lawrence weathers sells for more. The medal takes the shape known as the maltese cross. To be recommended for a victoria cross the proposed recipient must have performed deeds of exceptional valour beyond the call of duty whilst subject to enemy fire. For valour is a 2003 bbc television historical documentary presented by jeremy clarkson. The victoria cross for australia is the highest award in the australian honours system, superseding the british victoria cross for issue to australians. It is also the highest award in the british honours system. Pyke recommends that he be awarded a victoria cross but the private is instead sent to prison when his past crimes are discovered. In the centre of the medal is a lion guardant standing upon the royal crown. The victoria cross, a 1916 american silent film by edward lesaint. Specimen victoria cross medal approved by queen victoria mod 45149327. List of zulu war victoria cross recipients military wiki. Media in category victoria cross the following 120 files are in this category, out of 120 total. Robert shankland were separately given the victoria cross for acts of valour.
The victoria cross vc will always be an endless source of interest and fascination for. To this day no other company has ever supplied the victoria cross, a unique distinction. Aug 06, 2014 winnipegs boys of valour road commemorated at world war i centenary. The victoria cross vc is the highest and most prestigious award of the british honours system. The victoria cross the victoria cross vc, britains best known military award was established 160 years ago today, the 29th january 1856. Victoria cross awards are always promulgated in the london gazette with the single exception of the award to the american unknown soldier in 1921. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards. This was the first major war that was reported on by war correspondents in the field. The vc is usually invested upon the recipient or their next of kin by the british monarch at buckingham palace. Clarkson examines the history of thevictoria cross, and follows the story of one of the 1,354 men who were awarded it majorrobert henry cain.
Maurice dease, from westmeath, ireland, died at the battle of mons on 23 september 1914, the first day of british fighting. For valouris a 2003 bbc television historical documentary presented byjeremy clarkson. For valour the recipients of the victoria cross meda l, series 2011 ink on 300lb. A suspender bar is engraved with the words for valour.
Ben robertssmith was awarded the victoria cross for australia on 23 january 2011 for actions in the shah wali kot offensive, part of the war in afghanistan. Watch history page 17 of 37 documentaries online free. This article about a historical documentary film is a stub. It is the most important medal, more important than all other orders, decorations and medals. The victoria cross vc is the highest military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemy to members of the armed forces of various commonwealth countries it takes precedence over all other orders, decorations and medals. Cast in bronze in the shape of a cross the obverse of this award bears the royal crown of queen victoria in the centre upon which stands a proud lion also wearing a smaller crown and the inscription for valour within a pendant draped around the centre from the left to right arms of the cross. The victoria cross warrant makes no specific provision as to who should actually present the medals to the recipients. For valour is a 2003 bbc television historical documentary. Also, tim and shannon have requested that if anybody has a relevant. Mar 06, 2015 the victoria cross had its origins in the crimean war. Vc a bronze maltese cross, britains highest military award for conspicuous valor. The complete history of the victoria cross is the first definitive reference on every winner of the victoria cross, the highest award in the british military honor system, awarded for gallantry in the face of the enemy. The victoria cross is the highest military decoration in the british and commonwealth armed forces.
The victoria cross is the highest and most prestigious award of the british honours system. Warrants issued in connection with the victoria cross war department, february 5th, 1856 the queen has been pleased, by an instrument under her royal sign manual, of which the following is a copy, to institute and create a new naval and military decoration, to be styled and designated the victoria cross, and to make the rules and regulations therein set forth under which the said decoration. Victoria cross definition of victoria cross by the free. Private beharrys victoria cross citation uk news the.
The date of the act of bravery is engraved on the back of the cross. It is britains highest military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemy. For valour the best programme jeremy clarkson has ever made informative and poignant. The cross of valour has been awarded to five australian civilians and, although there has been no australian military recipient, they would be eligible in situations where normal honours to the military do not apply. Clarkson examines the history of the victoria cross, and follows the story of one of the.
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