Victoria Cross

Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valor in the face of the enemy to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries and the United Kingdom. Instituted in 1856 by Queen Victoria, the Victoria Cross is awarded for acts of extreme bravery and self-sacrifice, often performed under intense enemy fire and at great personal risk. The Victoria Cross is a symbol of the ultimate recognition for those who display exceptional courage and devotion to their duty, often going above and beyond the call of duty.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Victoria Cross, a person must be a member of the armed forces of the United Kingdom, its colonies, or the Commonwealth countries, and must have demonstrated outstanding gallantry in the presence of the enemy, either in combat or during military operations. The award can be granted to all ranks and is open to both living and deceased individuals, with posthumous awards being made since the medal's inception.

Recipients of the Victoria Cross are entitled to the post-nominal letters VC.

Design

The medal is made of bronze, which is cast in a cross. The obverse of the cross features a lion standing on a royal crown, with the words "FOR VALOUR" inscribed on a semicircular scroll below. The reverse of the cross bears the date of the act of bravery for which the award is being given, as well as the details of the recipient. The medal is suspended from a ring attached to a V', which hangs from a suspension bar engraved with laurel leaves.

Any further awards are represented by a bronze bar decorated in laurel wreaths attached to the ribbon.

Ribbon

The ribbon of the Victoria Cross is a dark crimson color, measuring 38mm in width. When the ribbon bar is worn, the medal is represented by an emblem in the form of a miniature replica of the cross. Any further awards come with an additional emblem worn on the bar.

The Victoria Cross is a symbol of the highest level of valor and self-sacrifice demonstrated by members of the armed forces in the presence of the enemy. It represents the ultimate recognition of their courage, devotion to duty, and unwavering commitment to their comrades and country.

Unmounted Medals

If you order your medal unmounted, the medal and ribbon will be supplied as separate components. Miniature medals will be supplied with 15cm of ribbon and full size medals will be supplied with 30cm of ribbon.

Victoria Cross Full Size Court Mounted

The court mounting of medals involves securing medals to a stiff backing board, along with the placement of a brooch fitting on the board. This ensures that the medals remain firmly in place and do not shift or move about while being worn.

It is mandatory for active members of the Australian Defence Force to have their medals court mounted, as it is considered the appropriate method of presenting military honours in a professional and respectful manner. By doing so, the medals are given proper recognition and are displayed in a neat and organized fashion.

Victoria Cross Full Size Swing Mounted

The swing mounting of medals refers to the attachment of a medal to a ribbon that is allowed to hang freely from a brooch, which in turn is affixed to a uniform or clothing. This mounting style was commonly used for medals from the Boer War up to and including World War II, although there are no fixed guidelines or regulations regarding its use.

Victoria Cross Miniature Court Mounted

Miniature Court Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.

Victoria Cross Miniature Swing Mounted

Miniature Swing Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.

Victoria Cross Ribbon Bar

A ribbon bar is a small, rectangular display of ribbons worn on military uniforms to represent various honours and awards earned by the wearer. These ribbons are arranged in a specific order and are attached to a backing, which is then attached to the uniform. Ribbon bars are a compact and convenient way for military personnel to display their achievements and are often used in situations where a full-sized medal or award would be impractical.