THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS WAR MEDAL

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13309, 8 April 1941, Page 6

THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS WAR MEDAL

Which of the world’s decorations for valour is always made from a cannon? That unique claim goes to the most famous of all medals the Victoria Cross. Every wearer of one -of these much-coveted British decorations (and there have been considerably more than 1,000 jsuch holders since the medal was instituted) possesses part of a cannon captured by the British soldiers at Sebastopol, in 1855, during the Crimean War. When Queen Victoria signed a royal warrant establishing this award in 1856, no decree was made that the medal could be won only in wartime. Several Victoria Crosses have, indeed, been earned in times of peace, but naturally the hugest opportunities for personal heroism arise on the battlefield, and it is quite likely that the list of V.C. heroes will in•crease considerably during the present European war. In America By far the biggest number of Victoria Crosses have gone to British soldiers and sailors, of course, but it can be won by others. One of these ■decorations has gone to America. On November 11, 1921, a Victoria Cross was placed on the tomb of the American "Unknown 'Warrior in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington. Earl Beatty, the British naval commander, made the dedication. The medal can also be won by ■civilians, if they are engaged either ■regularly or temporarily with the ■British Army. Nurses, matrons, and other members of Red Cross units can win it, too.

Though the decoration was not instituted until 1856, the first holder received it for a feat of heroism performed in 1854. He was Charles D. Lucas, a sailor aboard a man-o’-war in the Baltic Sea. A live shell from an enemy gun descended on the deck of the vessel, and Lucas immediately •dashed forward and threw the dangerous missile overboard.

In form, the Victoria Cross is a Maltese cross, with a royal crowl embossed at the centre. Its face also bears the words ‘For Valour/ though originally it was debated whether “For the Brave” would not be a better inscription. The back of the cross bears the date of the deed for which the medal was won. Another Medal At one time, there was another medal almost exactly like the Victoria Cross, excepting that it was ■made of silver. This other decoration, the New Zealand Cross, was awarded for bravery during the conquest of the Maori tribes, but it lapsed many years ago. The Victoria Cross, indeed, was specifically decreed to supersede the New Zealand Cross. The V.C. itself has been subjected to minor changes from time to time. Nowadays, the ribbon from which it is hung is always red; at one period *iaval holders suspended it from a blue ribbon, red ribbon being reserved for soldier V.C.’s. The proper place to wear it is on the left breast.

The decision to present one of these decorations is always announced in the London Gazette, the twiceweekly newspaper issued by the British Government’s Stationery Office, and every recipient receives a sum of £lO per year. The medal and the annuity may be cancelled, however, in certain circumstances —as, for instance, when the recipient is convicted for treason, cowardice, or any infamous crime. Even if he is not convicted, his name may be erased from the V.C. List, if he fails to appear for trial when charged. It is strict adherence to well-de-signed rules, in fact, that has made the Victoria Cross the cherished decoration it is to-day. The regulations relating to its presentation are very explicit. The royal warrant decrees that nothing but bravery must be taken into accounts —wounds, rank, or long service are not to be considered, .Neither is it permitted for one person to be awarded more than one Victoria Cross. For any subsequent feat of heroism, normally meriting the V.C., the award is a V.C. “bar.” Only in very rare instances has the presentation of such a bar even been considered.

Another regulation allows the Victoria Cross to be won collectively—that is, it may be given for valour shown by a company of soldiers or sailors. In such cases, the men do not receive a medal, but choose one •of their number to be decorated. The •medal must be publicly presented before a gathering of all the men confcerned.

In many cases, the holders of this decoration do not wear the actual medal, even on parade. They are nlloAved to have a miniature edition

suspended from the ribbon, and the real medal is carefully preserved in its case. It is strange to record that the Victoria Cross in Its early days was despised by British soldiers. They looked upon it with disfavour, for those die-hards considered that valour was a duty, and that to offer a reward for bravery was almost an insult. Yet, to-day, there is no medal in the world better thought of than the Victoria Cross.