What is the highest military medal given in the United Kingdom?

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest award of the United Kingdom honours system. It is awarded for gallantry "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British armed forces. It may be awarded posthumously. It was previously awarded to Commonwealth countries, most of which have established their own honours systems and no longer recommend British honours.

It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians under military command although no civilian has received the award since 1879. Since the first awards were presented by Queen Victoria in 1857, two thirds of all awards have been personally presented by the British monarch. These investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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37 Comments

Gary Bevan

Additional information. The bronze from which all Victoria Crosses are made is supplied by the Central Ordnance Depot in Donnington. This metal is cut from cannons captured from the Russians at Sebastopol during the Crimean War.

Mark Kirby

Morton Bartlett, Not strictly true. 3 people have been awarded the VC twice - Surgeon Captain Arthur Martin-Leake, Captain Noel Chavasse and Captain Charles Upham. I accept that in the truest interpretation of the words you use that Charles Upham was the only "Combat soldier" as he was an infantryman and not a surgeon/doctor as the other two were. Charles Upham was indeed a bloody brave man and a hero, but to argue he was a combat soldier and the others were not is disingenuous. All of them served on the front lines (as you have to do to earn a VC - it has never been, and should never become, a "back line" award) and all were extremely brave men, and put the lives of others before their own.

dvdeaton

Figured it was named after a king or queen... The Royal Air Force, Royal everything, etc.. During the Victorian era, the "sun never set on the British Empire," due to their holdings all over the world. At least the British left their colonies educated

Spc Kook Dude

Part of our UK snobbery.

Andy the educated troglodyte

Mark Kirby, well said Mark

Don Racette

Kathleen Jacobson I got it wrong......because you wouldn't give me the answer.

Pauline Grant

Easy peasy, the fact that I’m English may have helped a bit. I live in Australia. Australia has 4 Victoria Cross winners still alive at the moment, one from the Vietnam war, the rest from current actions over in Afghanistan, and Iraq.

fulthorpemichael

Purvis, said the brave guy hiding behind the shadow.

innflyte

to Purvis...get a grip....

Suraya Choudhury

I knew !

Maureen Whitehall

7. Did the first person to be killed by the Honey Bee ever make headline news. Regarding the V.C.Cross,Our gracious Queen awarded Pte Speakman this honour who has just passed away whilst living at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Kenney Devey

Phill Mcfarlane, Mortensen Bartlet would know that and agree. But you seemed to indicate he said something against it. I am from New Zealand and Charlie Upham was a bloody hero. Google him and read the reports on how he earned them. Bloody amazing Man.