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Military Awards
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The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy.
It is awarded by the British monarch to British and Commonwealth forces.
Gallantry:
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The Victoria Cross "for valour" |
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To date (July 2007), in all branches of the British and Commonwealth forces, there have been 1352 VC medals awarded, but 3 men have won it twice, this makes a total of 1355.
The Victoria Cross is not a Maltese Cross, but is more accurately described as a cross patté. All Victoria Crosses are now issued with a 1.5 inch wide Crimson Ribbon. At one time they had dark blue ribbons for the Royal Navy and crimson for the Army. But, in 1918, at the time of formation of the Royal Air Force, King Edward approved that a crimson ribbon would now be used for all arms of the services. The Cross is 1.375 inches wide and has a total weight of 0.87 ounces. The front of the bar is adorned with laurel leaves and the back is engraved with the recipient's details. The date of the act of valour is engraved in the centre circle. Details on the suspender bar include the number, rank, name and regiment, or other description of the recipient. The Victoria Cross was designed by H.H. Armstead, an employee of the jewellers, Messrs. Hancocks and Co., Burlington Gardens London W1, who still supply them. The design of the Cross first received royal approval. Originally, the metallic materials used in the construction of the Victoria Cross came from gunmetal taken from Russian guns captured in the Crimean War, but since the end of the First World War it has been made from metal taken from captured Chinese guns.
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