WHERE THE V.C. IS MADE.

North Otago Times, 22 May 1909, Page 3 (Supplement)

WHERE THE V.C. IS MADE.

There are two facts not generally known in connection .with the Victoria Cross. One is that the late Prince Consort was mainly responsible for the design, and the other that every medal is made from bronze which has formed part ol some Russian guns taken in the Crimea A supply of this bronze is despatched by the War Office to Messrs. Han:ocks and Co,, of New Bond Street, silversmiths to the King, when a new medal is ordered, while the process of manufacture of the V,C, is entirely different from that of all other war medals and decorations.

I In the case of ordinary medals, steel dies are made and the articles are stamped out complete with one 'olow of the press, so that they can be turned out by the hundreds, and thousands if desired. Each Victoria Cross, however, is made separately m a sand-mould, into which the molten bronze is poured.

After being taken from the mould a chaser works on it for several hours, until all the detail is brought up and the design appears in bold relief from the matted groundwork. After leaving the chaser's hands, the medal has to he submitted to the War Office for inspection, and, if passed, is then fitted with its top bar, steel pins, connecting ring, and ribbon.

The name and rank of the recipient arc ultimately cut on one line on the bar. and the name of the regiment in another immediately under it, thus :-

Private Thomas Atkins, 10th Hussars,

while in the semi-circular space at the back are set forth the day, the month, and the year of the deed of bravery for which the Cross has been awarded.