BRITISH ORDERS AND DECORATIONS 

The Victoria Cross

1856 

        The Victoria Cross, the most coveted decoration was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856 during the Crimean war.  The decoration was to reward officers and men of the Army and Navy and later the Air Force for a signal act of valour and devotion to duty.  The decoration consists of a bronze cross with a lion standing upon the royal crown in the centre and the words 'FOR VALOUR' inscribed semi-circularly below the crown.  The date of the act is engraved on the reverse with the rank, name and regiment of the recipient on the clasp.  The Cross was traditionally made from the bronze of guns captured in Crimea, but this supply was exhausted in March 1942.

        In 1912, this award was extended to the native officers and men of the Indian Army, who up to that time had been eligible for the Indian Order of Merit for gallant deeds in action.  A total of 1354 Victoria Crosses have been awarded since the inception of this decoration of which 40 have been awarded to Indians. A rare collection of five Victoria Crosses is housed in the Sheesh Mahal.

      The Victoria Cross takes precedence over all British orders and medals.

Victoria Cross with the bullet that injured Lance Corporal J. Dunley, 93rd Regiment, during the assault and capture of the Fort of Secunderbagh (Siege of Lucknow) November 16,1857