HISTORIC :
Reward of the British Bravery, the Victoria Cross has been created February 5 TH, 1856 and has been awarded retroactively to 1854.
This value is recognized for an act of remarkable bravery, fighting qualities or abnegation, or even of extreme devotion in presence of the enemy.
Since his institution, the Cross to been provided by the jewellers of London.
RECIPIENTS :
Until 1912, the Victoria Cross was not granted to Indian members of the Indian army.
A restricted diffusion could only get used to the European in the Indian army and with few exceptions to the Europeans in general.
The Royal order of October 21 St, 1911 (publication to the official newspaper of London November 12 ND 1911 page 9.369) suppressed the rod for rewards in the Indian army.
Consequently, the first class of the Indian order of the Merit stopped August 3, 1912 by order of the army number 757. The other classes have renumbered summers.
The Indian soldiers deserving but that could not pretend to the Victoria Cross got the Victoria Cross-country theolder (Indian Order of the Merit).
It was the decoration of choice in order to reward the bravery before 1912.Soit 1837 to 1911, 42 first class (with a special rod), second 130 class and third 2740 class.
After the dependence of India in 1947, the distribution of the Victoria Cross stopped and replaced by the Param Vir Chakra in India and the Nishan.
A few Victoria Cross continued to be granted to the Asian of the south that serve with the British strengths.
NUMBER AND DISTRIBUTION :
1351 crosses of Victoria have been awarded.
Of which 94 to Canadians: born to Canada, serving in the Canadian army or having a narrow tie with Canada.
4 recipients before the War of South Africa;
4 recipients during the War d4afrique of the South (Boer war);
70 during World War I.1 only Canadian recipients carries the blue ribbon.
It was the sailor 2nd class William HALL.Lieutenant Alexander DUNN was the first Canadian to be distinguished in February 1857 after having participated in the load of the light Brigade.
THE DISTINCTION :
The ribbon,
- To the origin and this until 1918, the ribbon was of blue colour sped along for the Royal and " crimson " Marine for the army.
- Henceforth this crimson " hue " regroups all armies and the ribbon makes 1,5 inches of large.
The medal,
- When the ribbon is carried alone, a miniature of the Cross is pinned over.
- It is a Cross whose extremities go while enlarging of 1,375 inch to finished it brown dark and not a Maltese cross as some suppose it.
- The weight is of 0,87 ounces about.
- It is manufactured in the metal of the guns and cannons took to the Russians during the War of Crimea.
- During a short period during and after World War I he/it is likely enough that the captured Chinese gun metal was the basis of the manufacture.
- The drawing of the Cross is the work of H.H. Armstead that worked for MM Hancocks and Company (British jeweller).
Drawing approved by the Queen.
Obverse:
The royal crown is covered of a lion protecting it. Under the crown the inscription " Heart Valour ".
Reverse:
A border in relief with the date of the act recognized by the Cross also engraved in a circle in relief.
Barrette,
A barrette is awarded for acts of important bravery.
On this day, no of the three barrettes has not been awarded to a Canadian.
To the reverse the rank, the name of the recipients and the one of his/her/its regiment represent.
The style of engraving varies and sometimes the engraving is in the same way colour that the decor.
Abeyance,
It is a right barrette decorated of leaf laurels to complete crack or pass the ribbon.
The ribbon carries in the center of its lower side a V fixed by a link to a eyelet in semi-circle built-in to the superior branch of the Cross.
Sometimes the tie is completely circular.
He was made then oval.
PARTICULARITIES (COPIES) :
Different styles of copies exist.
These last are about the quality of the chosen metal that as cooling gives a smaller Cross and of incorrect weight.
Sometimes we can meet some differences in the bars of abeyances bent instead of being right, the interior diameter of the circle in the center of the reverse, is too large.
Other copies are provided of details intended to the recipient's pleasure.
