Fascinating Facts
Did you know that...
Charles Lucas won the first VC when serving as a Mate on HMS Hecla during the Crimean War (1854-56). Hecla was bombarding Bomarsund, a fort in the Aland Islands (pictured), off Finland, when a live shell from a shore battery landed on her upper deck, with its fuse still hissing.
All hands were ordered to fling themselves flat on the deck, but Lucas with great presence of mind ran forward and hurled the shell into the sea, where it exploded.
Did you know that...
Three men have won the VC twice (these receive an extra bar to their original cross).
Arthur Martin-Leake won his first VC whilst serving as a Surgeon Captain with the South African Constabulary during the Boer War (1899-1902) on 8 February 1902 at Vlakfontein and a bar to his cross for bravery during the period 29 October-8 November 1914 near Zonnebeke, Belgium, during World War One (1914-1918).
Captain Noel Chavasse (pictured), Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to the 1/10th The King’s (Liverpool Regiment), won the VC on 9 August 1916 at Guillemont, France, and a posthumous bar between 31 July-2 August 1917 at Wieltje, Belgium.
Captain Charles Upham, 20th New Zealand Battalion, NZEF, won the VC for his actions between 22-30 May 1941, on the island of Crete, and a bar for bravery in Egypt on 14-15 July 1942.
Did you know that...
Although the 1920 Royal Warrant made provision for awards to women of the nursing and hospital services, as yet no woman has won the VC. This could change as many women now serve in operational theatres.
Did you know that...
Four sets of brothers have been awarded the VC:
Lieutenant Commander George N. Bradford, RN (World War One) and Lieutenant Colonel Roland B. Bradford, 9th Durham Light Infantry (World War One).
Major Charles J. S. Gough (pictured), 5th Bengal European Cavalry (Indian Mutiny) and Lieutenant Hugh H. Gough, 1st Bengal European Light Cavalry (Indian Mutiny).
Captain Euston H. Sartorius, 59th Regiment, (Afghan War) and Major Reginald W. Sartorius, 6th Bengal Cavalry (Ashanti War).
Second Lieutenant Alexander B. Turner, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Berkshire Regiment (World War One) and T/Lieutenant Colonel Victor B. Turner, The Rifle Brigade (World War Two).
