Victoria Cross (VC)

Victoria Cross (with blue 'Naval' ribbon) awarded during the First World War to Boy, 1st Class John Travers Cornwell for gallantry displayed as a sight setter for the cew of the 5.5-inch gun on the forecastle of the light cruiser HMS Chester during the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916.
© IWM (OMD 2406)
Jack Cornwell’s Victoria Cross, awarded posthumously in September 1916.

The Victoria Cross was created on 29 January 1856 and recognises acts of extreme bravery carried out under direct enemy fire.

It was the first bravery medal that could be earned by anyone in the Army or the Navy and the act which earns the award must be witnessed by several individuals. The Victoria Cross was named after Queen Victoria, who personally chose the inscription, 'For Valour'. The design shows a lion guarding the Royal Crown, emphasising the personal link between the British monarch and recipients of the VC. 

The Victoria Cross was handmade, traditionally using bronze taken from a gun captured in the Crimean War and has been awarded to over 1,300 people since its creation. It was deliberately intended to have little actual value – its value lies in what it stands for and what people do to earn it

This Victoria Cross (with blue 'Naval' ribbon) awarded during the First World War to Boy, 1st Class John Travers Cornwell for gallantry displayed as a sight setter for the crew of the 5.5-inch gun on the forecastle of the light cruiser HMS Chester during the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916.

See the Victoria Cross on Collections online. 

George Cross (GC)

medal, ribbon, brooch bar and fitted case of issue plain Greek cross (arms of equal length) in silver (46mm wide by 50mm height). On the obverse, St George (on horseback) and the dragon within a central raised roundel surrounded by a band bearing the text 'FOR GALLANTRY' ,
© IWM OMD 5297.1
George Cross awarded to Mahmood Khan for supreme bravery while a prisoner of war.

The George Cross was created on 24 September 1940 and recognises acts of extreme bravery carried out by civilians and military personal when not under enemy fire. The act which earns the award must be witnessed by several individuals.

The George Cross was named after King George VI, who personally designed many details on the medal. The inscription reads 'For Gallantry'. The words surround an image of St George slaying a dragon and is made from solid silver by the Royal Mint. 

Since its creation, more than 400 people have been awarded the George Cross. 

This George Cross awarded to Captain Mahmood Durrani, 1st Bahawalpur Infantry, for supreme bravery as a prisoner of war in the Second World War.

See the George Cross on Collections online. 

Visit IWM's Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes. 

This permanent display houses the world's largest collection of Victoria Crosses, alongside a significant collection of George Crosses. Discover over 250 acts of bravery from those who faced adversity. 

 

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Find out more about the heroes who have been awarded the Victoria and George Cross. 

Ashcroft Gallery view
IWM
Permanent Display

Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes

IWM London
Permanent

Catalina
Second World War

John Alexander Cruickshank, VC

John Alexander Cruickshank is the last living recipient to have been awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second World War. He received the award for his bravery in an attack on a German U-boat on 17 July 1944. Despite severe wounds, he ensured the safe arrival and landing of his crew on the return from this attack.

Ensign Violette Reine Szabo, George Cross, Croix de Guerre avec Palme, WTS/FANY, SOE. Violette Szabo served as a courier with F Section, SOE.
© IWM (HU 16541)
Special Operations Executive (SOE)

Who Was Violette Szabo?

Violette Szabo (1921-1945) worked for 'F' Section in Special Operations Executive (SOE) during the Second World War. During a mission in France she was captured and imprisoned by the Nazi's. She was executed in Ravensbrück concentration camp and posthumously awarded the George Cross, the highest honour given to civilians.

Replica of Johnson Beharry's Victoria Cross
Contemporary conflict

What Johnson Beharry's Victoria Cross Reveals about Modern Conflict

Johnson Gideon Beharry carried out two separate acts of great courage while serving in Iraq with the 1st Battalion Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment  – leading to him becoming the first living soldier in nearly half a century to be awarded the Victoria Cross. Discover what Johnson Beharry's Victoria Cross reveals about modern conflict.