V.C. HEROES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11578, 23 December 1915, Page 5

V.C. HEROES.

RIFLE BRIGADE LEADS THE ARMY Tho latest 'bestowal of Victoria Crosses brings the number conferred during the war to 118, including a clasp given to an officer who "won tho cioss m South Africa, Tho combined operations in tlio Baltic and Crimea produced 111 crosses, and during tho Indian Mutiny 182 were bestowed. Tho following is an analysis of the uwavcis of the present war:— Royal Navy . , * .10 Headquarters Staff . . >1 Royal Flying Corps ... 4 Cavalry (9th Lancers 1, 15th Hussars 1) . ; . * • 2 Yeomanry (Berks) » * • 1 Royal Artillery » . . 9 Royal Engineers .... 5 Brigado of Guards (Grenadiers 2, Coldstreams 1, Scots Guards 2, Irish Guards 1) . . . .6 Infantry (Royal Scots 1, Royal Fusiliers 2, Liverpool Regt. 1, Lincolns 2, Bedfords 2, Leicester,s 1, Yorkshires 1, Lanes. Fusiliers. 4, Welsh Fusiliers 1, Cameronians 1, Inniskilling fusiliers 2, "Worcestcrs 1, Lancashires 1, East Surreys 3, Duko of Cornwall 1 s L.I. 1, Border Rest. 2, Hampshires 1, S. Staffords 1, Welsh Regt. 1, Black Watch 2, Sherwood Foresters 2, Yorkshire L.I. 2, K.R.R. 3, Manchester® 3, j Highland L.I. 2, Gordons 2, Camerons 1, Irish Fusiliers 1, Munster Fusiliers 1, Riflo Bri2acb 3) . . . .51 Territorials (Manchester 1, Highland L.I. 1; London Regt.—London Riflo Brigade, the Queen's, and Queen Victoria's Rifles 3) . 5 R.A.M.C. (including clasp awarded to officer who won V.C. in South Africa) . . . . , 2 Indian Army . * « « . . 8 Australians . * • » , 9 Canadians » , , , 4 New Zealanders ... 1 These figures indicato the enormous part played by the foot soldier in modern warfare, for of the 108 crosses bestowed oil members of tho land services no fewer than eight-four havo been gained by infantry combatants. It will bo observed that up to the present only one regiment—the Lancashire Fusiliers—has secured four awards, though the Manchester have sconed four with their "Terrier" V.C. As tlio Riflo Brigade had previously received fifteen V.C.'s, this famous corps now heads tho list of line regiments with eighteen, and is followed by tho King's Royal Rifles and the South Wales Borderers, each with sixteen crosses, the Gordon Highlanders coming fourth with fifteen. The total gained l>y the Foot Guards since the institution of tho honour is eighteen. The ten given during the past year to naval officers and men bring the total bestowed on the senior service to fifty-one.