For valour is a 2003 bbc television historical documentary presented by jeremy clarkson. The cross of valour is a gold, straightarmed cross pattee with diminishing rays between the arms. It was previously awarded to commonwealth countries, most of which have established their own honours systems and no longer recommend british honours. Booktopia has for valour, australians awarded the victoria cross by aaron pegram. For valour the best programme jeremy clarkson has ever made. 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. For valour is a 2003 bbc television historical documentary. Likelihood of receiving a victoria cross on the western front. 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. It is due to the recent efforts of these two men that the cross of valour recipients have been authorised to receive annual annuities and air travel allowances, in line with those afforded to victoria cross, victoria cross for. 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. 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. The cross of valour, australias highest bravery decoration and highest civil award. For valour the recipients of the victoria cross meda l, series 2011 ink on 300lb.
From the crimea to iraq, it has been bestowed only 1,355 times, proving the recipients bravery beyond all doubt always facing mortal danger, sometimes a certain death. She instituted the victoria cross for valour in 1856 during the crimean war and was the first monarch to. The victoria cross vc is the highest and most prestigious award in the commonwealth countries it is was. 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. For valour the story of the victoria cross working title, explored by jeremy clarkson. Jul, 2018 calls for australian heroes who risked their lives to rescue football team from thai cave to be given highest civilian honour the cross of valour. The victoria cross for australia was added to the australian honours system by letters patent on 15 january 1991. Left on his own with four children in a merseyside terrace house, michael is. The queen awarded the first victoria cross medals in 1857 for acts of bravery in 1854 in the crimean war. The victoria cross is canadas highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. It is only awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril. The decoration is a cross pattee, 41 millimetres 1.
It is also the highest award in the british honours system. Nov 04, 2003 november 4, 2003 in september 1944 at the battle of arnhem, major cain won what was described as the finest victoria cross of the whole war. Hampton grays is the last to be awarded to a canadian. News and events the cross of valour association of australia. These first medals were backdated to mark the sacrifice and bravery during the crimean war. The victoria cross for australia is awarded to a person who, in the presence of the enemy, displays the most conspicuous gallantry, or daring or preeminent act of valour or selfsacrifice or extreme devotion to duty. This is the first of eight volumes to be published in association with the victoria cross trust. Why was the victoria cross formed in 1857, and how has it evolved.
His medals are on display in the hall of valour at the australian war memorial. The medal takes the shape known as the maltese cross. The victoria cross is britains most prestigious military honour, awarded for valour in the presence of the enemy. Feb 14, 2001 the australian and new zealanders victoria cross designs are identical to the british version, whereas the canadian version is unchanged with the exception of the phrase for valour being replaced with the latin pro valore. We have taken the data which contains geographic locations relating to where actions took place to receive an award and. 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 obverse has the shield and crest of the commonwealth coat of arms surmounted by a federation star. Index of victoria cross recipients by electorate parliament of. Based on primary source research, this is the most comprehensive history of the victoria cross available. Canadian british victoria cross canadian world war 2 victoria cross was given for an act of valour. 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. Queen victoria presented the first victoria cross awards in 1857 at a ceremony attended by 100,000 people in hyde park.
This is of course, a neutral compromise between the countrys two official languages of french and english. Nov 11, 2016 the first victoria cross medals were presented to 62 men by queen victoria on 26 june 1857 in a similar ceremony in hyde park. A total of 22 vcs have been awarded to new zealand military personnel, including two won by charles upham. Jeremey clarkson examines the history of the victoria cross. The victoria cross warrant makes no specific provision as to who should actually present the medals to the recipients. 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. 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. Only 15 medals, of which 11 were to members of the british army and four were to members of the. Mystery of the victoria cross buried in mud on the banks of the thames. Jeremy clarkson discovers what he did to achieve this accolade.
The night of the hearts of valour ball was a most auspicious occasion as it was the first, and possibly the last time, all living cross of valour, george cross and victoria cross recipients assembled in the one place at the same time to celebrate their amazing achievements. 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. To this day no other company has ever supplied the victoria cross, a unique distinction. New tv series explores life of queen victoria, we reveal the hidden side of her reign. A history of the victoria cross and the evolution of british heroism studies in military and strategic history m. In the centre is the royal crown with a lion standing guard upon it. For valour, australians awarded the victoria cross by aaron. The victoria cross for new zealand is identical to the original design. Telling his story, along with other personal accounts of staggering bravery, jeremy clarkson looks at the history of the highest military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemy. 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.
Snelling and gerald gliddons series vcs of the first world war. Clarkson examines the history of the victoria cross, and follows the story of one of the 1,354. Join a community of likeminded individuals, gain access to exclusive valour canada content and events, and help us connect canadian youth to our shared military heritage. It is awarded for valour in the presence of the enemy to members of the. Buy a discounted hardcover of for valour online from australias leading. In 1944 major robert cain won what was described as the finest victoria cross of the second world war. The witcher renewed for season 2 by netflix ahead of debut november 2019 deadline.
Highest british commonwealth military honour for valour in face of the enemy. It is hoped that the prime minister and deputy prime minister will also attend. All canadian citizens, both civilians and members of the canadian forces, are eligible for the award. Wikipedia lists the recipients of the victoria cross. 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. It is awarded for valour in the presence of the enemy to members of the british armed forces. Victoria cross and medal of honor battles by bryan perrett 2003, hardcover at the best online prices at.
Canadas cross of valour recipients from the govenor generals listings the cross of valour was created on may 1, 1972. Calls for australian thai cave heroes to get the cross of valour. The medal inscription for the victoria cross stipulates for valour. The victoria cross for australia was inaugurated in 1991, and is the highest australian. The victoria cross vc is the highest and most prestigious award of the british honours system. The date of the act of bravery is engraved on the back of the cross. As it currently stands the thames victoria cross, if genuine, is an incredibly important medal. Victoria cross awards are always promulgated in the london gazette with the single exception of the award to the american unknown soldier in 1921. New tv series explores life of queen victoria, we reveal. The mystery of the thames victoria cross museum of london. Cross of valour recipients canada history and mysteries. A suspender bar is engraved with the words for valour. In 1944, major robert cain won what was described as the finest victoria cross of wwii.