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Introduced as the premier award for gallantry, available for all ranks, to cover actions since the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1854, it was allegedly created on the suggestion of Prince Albert, the Prince Consort. Of the 1354 awards since 1856, 832 have gone to the Army, 107 to the Navy, 31 to the RAF, 10 to the Royal Marines and 4 to civilians. Second bars have been awarded three times. The facility for posthumous awards, made retrospective to 1856, began in 1902 and was confirmed in 1907, while the early practice of forfeitures (eight between 1863 and 1908) was discontinued after the First World War.
BAR
A bar is awarded for additional acts of bravery.
Bars to the VC have been awarded to :-
A cross pattee, 1.375 inches across, with a dark brown finish.
OBVERSE
The obverse displays the Royal Crown surmounted by a lion guardant. Below
the crown, a scroll bearing the inscription: FOR VALOUR
REVERSE
A circular panel on which is engraved the date of the act for which the decoration was awarded. The reverse of the suspension bar is engraved with the name, rank and ship, regiment or squadron of the recipient.
MOUNTING
A straight bar (ornamented with laurels), slotted for the ribbon, has a V-lug
below. A small link joins the V-lug to a semi-circular lug on the top of
the cross.
RIBBON
The crimson ribbon is 1.5 inches wide and a miniature cross is worn on the
ribbon in undress. The ribbon was dark blue for naval recipients until 1918
.
NAMING
The recipient's rank, name and regiment are engraved on the reverse of the
mounting bar.
DATES
The medal was instituted on 05 February 1856 with awards retroactive to 1854.
ISSUED
There have been 1,354 Awards including 3 Bars worldwide.
British Forces 988 (Navy 119, Army 837 - inc 2 bars, Air Force 32)
Australian Forces 91
Canadian Forces 80
New Zealand Forces 22 (inc 1 bar)
South African Forces 28
Newfoundland Forces 1
Fijian Forces 1
Kings African Rifles 1
Indian Forces 137
Civilians 4
American Unknown Warrier 1
METAL
Bronze, originally from Russian guns captured in the Crimea. Modern research, however, reveals that guns captured in other conflicts, e.g. China, have also been used at various periods.
SIZE
Height 41mm; Max Width 36mm
Read the citations for Canadian Recipients
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