Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross (official post-nominal letters 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. It is only awarded for bravery "in the face of the enemy".

Victoria Cross after 2000

In March 2002, it was widely reported in the British media that the VC was to be awarded to an unnamed Regimental Sergeant-Major in the 22nd Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment, for his involvement in fighting in the Tora Bora cave complex in November 2001. There was some debate over whether he should be named - a position favoured by the Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, but a compromise was reached that his name, and some specific details of the action, would be withheld from the official announcement in the London Gazette. However, this did not happen; the VC award was never confirmed, and he and another member of the SAS, who had also been discussed as a possible VC recipient, were awarded Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses in October 2002 instead.

Related Topics:
2002 - Regimental Sergeant-Major - Special Air Service - Tora Bora - 2001 - Secretary of State for Defence - Geoff Hoon - Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses

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In April of 2004 the VC awarded to Sergeant Norman Jackson, RAF, in 1944, was sold at auction for £235,250.

Related Topics:
April - 2004 - Norman Jackson - RAF - 1944

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In late 2004, Duncan Gordon Boyes VC and nine other recipients were publicly celebrated on posters on the Victoria line of the London Underground http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/3991993.stm. That same year, a national Victoria Cross and George Cross memorial was installed in the Ministry of Defence building on Whitehall in London; it can be visited by members of the public. http://www.mod.uk/aboutus/visits/index.html

Related Topics:
2004 - Duncan Gordon Boyes - Victoria line - London Underground - Ministry of Defence - Whitehall

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On March 18 2005, Private Johnson Gideon Beharry of the 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment became the first recipient of the VC since the posthumous award to Sgt Ian McKay, 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in 1982. Beharry was cited for "valour of the highest order" during the Iraq War. He is included in a list of more than 140 British troops awarded honours for roles in Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Liberia, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom and Congo.

Related Topics:
March 18 - 2005 - Private - Johnson Gideon Beharry - Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment - Ian McKay - Parachute Regiment - 1982 - Iraq War - Iraq - Afghanistan - Northern Ireland - Balkans - Liberia - Sierra Leone - United Kingdom - Congo

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