WHAT GORDON THOUGHT OF THE V.C.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue XXIV, 16 June 1900, Page 1127

WHAT GORDON THOUGHT OF THE V.C.

In his “.Journal,” written at Khartoum in 1885, General Gordon says: “The original idea of the Victoria Cross was to give to subalterns, noncommissioned officers, and men a decoration equivalent to the Bath (which, by its rules, they could not be given). But some reasons for giving the Victoria Cross, as described in the ‘Gazette,’ are really astounding, such as this: Two men are sent on a reconnaisance; one is wounded, and the other brings him back and receives the Victoria Cross. What would have been said if he had left the wounded man? The mistake has arisen of awarding the Victoria Cross for deeds of eclat.” General Gordon recognised as clearly as anyone that non-coms, and men ought to be rewarded and distinguished for acts of bravery, just as well as officers; but what he meant is that when a man does his bare duty—just what any other man in his place would do, and vChat he would be blamed for not doing—it is a mistake to give him a mark of having done something exceptionally heroic. All practical army men know that the Victoria Cross spurs on the soldier to do something to win it, even though this may not be the best thing to bring about victory. It tempts officers to leave their men at critical moments to do some daring act and deservedly win the Cross, though the fot tunes of the army would be much better served if he remained with his men to lead them. Often an officer gets the Cross for bringing in a wounded man. As a rule it would be much better for the wounded soldier to be let lie quietly till the bearers come and remove him without doing further injury. In one case a wounded soldier refused to be rescued, knowing that his wound would be made ten times worse by the rough treatment. But the young officer “swore, with clenched lists, that he would punch the man's head if he did not allow him to save his life.” The Victoria Cross causes an immense amount of jealousy. People at home naturally think that those who have gained it are braver Than those who have not. Yet it is a case of luck more than anything else. for. as everyone knows, all our officers and men are recklessly brave, and any deed that one does all the others would do if they got the chance.