HRH the Prince of Wales introduces this three-part series commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross. The landmark programmes use first-hand testimony, archive and dramatic reconstructions to tell some of the remarkable stories of the 1,355 holders of the VC from the past 150 years. They also include moving interviews with five of the 12 living holders of the ultimate award for bravery in warfare.
Origins of the VC
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest award for valour that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces of any rank in any service, and civilians under military command.
The VC was created by Royal Warrant on 29 January 1856, in order to recognise exceptional acts of valour during the Crimean War of 1854-1855. The first award ceremony was on 26 June 1857.
The decoration is a cross pattée, 1.375 inches (35 mm) wide, bearing a crown surmounted by a lion, and the inscription "FOR VALOUR".
The recipient's name, rank, number and unit are engraved on the back of the suspension bar, and the date of the act for which it was awarded on the back of the cross.
It is widely believed that all VCs are cast from the bronze cascabels of two cannon of Chinese origin that were captured from the Russians at the siege of Sevastopol, except during the First World War when metal from guns captured from the Chinese during the Boxer Rebellion was also used. However, there is an argument that it is a physical impossibility for all of the medals to have been made by the bronze from the chinese Sevastopol guns.
The barrels of the Sevastopol canons can be found outside the Officers' Mess at the Royal Artillery Barracks at Woolwich.
1,355 Victoria Crosses have been awarded since 1856.
Originally, the Victoria Cross could not be awarded posthumously but in 1905 this rule was revoked.
Also the Victoria Cross could not be awarded to Indian or African troops and this rule was not revoked until the 20th century .
The largest number of Victoria Crosses awarded in a single conflict was 634 during the First World War.
