The Victoria Cross was instituted by Royal Warrant of Queen on 29^th June 1856 and is awarded to “those officers or men who served us in the presence of the enemy and that shall have performed some single act of valour or devotion to the country”. The idea originated with the Prince Consort and he is said to have designed the medal. The cross carries with it an annuity then of £10 and now of £1300. In 1902 King Edward VII sanctioned for the cross to be given to the representative of soldiers who would have been entitled to it had they survived.

The decoration consists of a bronze Maltese cross, which, until 1942, was made from the metal of Russian guns, captured at Sebastopol in the Crimean War. It is worn with a red ribbon by recipients in the army and with a blue ribbon for those in the Navy.

Abyssinia Campaign, 1867/68

For their conspicuous gallantry, in the assault of Magdala, on the 13^th April 1869. Lieutenant General Lord Napier reports that while the head of the column of attack was checked by the obstacles at the gate, a small stream of officers and men of the 33^rd Regiment and an officer of engineers, breaking away from the approach to Magdala, and climbing up a cliff, reached the defences and forced their way over the wall, and through the strong and thorny fence, thus turning the defenders of the gateway. The first two men to enter, and the first in Magdala, were Drummer Magner and Private Bergin of the 33^rd Regiment. (London Gazette, 28^th July, 1868)

The Boer War, 1900 - 02 

2522 Sergeant James FIRTH, 1^st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

During the action at Plewton’s Farm, near Arundel, Cape Colony, on the 24^th February, 1900. Lance Corporal Blackman having been wounded and lying exposed to a hot fire at a range of 400 – 500 yards, Sergeant Firth picked him up and carried him to cover. Later in the day, when the enemy had advanced to within a short distance of the firing line, Second Lieutenant Wilson being dangerously wounded and in a most exposed positioned, Sergeant Firth carried him over the ridge, which was being held by the troops, to shelter and was himself shot through the nose and eye whilst doing so. (London Gazette, 11^th June 1901)

The First World War, 1914 – 18

2^nd Lieutenant Henry KELLY, 10^th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

For most conspicuous bravery in attack at Le Sars on 4^th October 1916.

He twice rallied his company under the heaviest fire and finally led the only three available men into the enemy trench and there remained bombing until two of them had become casualties and enemy reinforcements had arrived. He then carried his Company Sergeant Major, who had been wounded, back to our trenches, a distance of 70 yards, and subsequently three other soldiers. He set a fine example of gallantry and endurance. (London Gazette, 25^th November 1916)

15805 Private Arnold LOOSEMORE 8^th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

For most conspicuous bravery and initiative during the attack on a strongly held enemy position south of Langemarck, Flanders on 11^th August 1917.

His platoon having been checked by heavy machine-gun fire, he crawled through partially-cut wire, dragging his Lewis gun with him, and single handed dealt with a strong part of the enemy killing about twenty of them and thus covering the consolidation of the position taken up by his platoon, immediately afterwards his Lewis gun was blown up by a bomb and three of the enemy rushed for him, but he shot them all with his revolver.

Later, he shot several enemy snipers, exposing himself to heavy fire each time. On returning to the original post he also brought back a wounded comrade under heavy fire at the risk of his life. He displayed throughout an utter disregard of danger. London Gazette, 14^th September 1917)

24066 Private Arthur POULTER 1/4^th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) (TF)

For most conspicuous bravery when acting as a stretcher-bearer, at Erquinghem-Lys, 10^th April 1918.

On ten occasions Private Poulter carried badly wounded men on his back to a safe locality, through a particularly heavy artillery and machine-gun barrage. Again, after a withdrawal over the river had been ordered. Private Poulter returned in full view of the enemy, who were advancing, and carried back another man who had been left behind wounded. Ha bandaged-up over forty men under fire, and his contact throughout the whole day was a magnificent example of all ranks. This very gallant soldier was seriously wounded when attempting another rescue in the face of the enemy. (London Gazette, 28^th June 1918)

34506 Private Henry TANDY, D.C.M., M.M. 5^th Battalion. The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) (TF)

For most conspicuous bravery and initiative during the capture of the village and the crossings at Marcoing and the subsequent counter-attack on 28^th September 1918.

When, during the advance on Marcoing, his platoon was held my machine-gun fire, he at once crawled forward, located the machine-gun, and with his Lewis gun team knocked it out. On arrival at the crossing he restored the plank bridge under a hail of bullets, thus enabling the first crossing to be made at this vital spot.

Later in the evening, during an attack, he with eight comrades was surrounded by an overwhelming number of Germans and though the position was apparently helpless, he led a bayonet charge through them, fighting so fiercely that 37 of the enemy were driven into the hands of the remainder of his company. Although twice wounded he refused to leave until the fight was won. (London Gazette, 14 December 1918) 

2^nd Lieutenant James Palmer HUFFUM, 5^th Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) (TF)

For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on 31^st August 1918.

With three men he rushed an enemy machine-gun post and put it out of action. His post was then heavily attached and he withdrew fighting, carrying a wounded comrade. Again on the night of the 31^st August 1918 at St Servin’s Farm accompanied by two men only he rushed an enemy machine-gun post, captured eight prisoners and enabling the advance to continue. Throughout the whole of the fighting from 29^th August to 01^st September 1918 he showed the utmost gallantry (London Gazette, 26^th December 1918

The Second World War, 1939 - 45

5891907 Private Richard BURTON, 1^st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding).

In Italy on 08^th October 1944 two companies of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment moved forward to take a strongly held feature 760 metres high. The capture of this feature was vital at this stage of the operation, as it dominated all the ground on the main axis of advance.

The assaulting troops made good progress to within twenty yards of the crest, when they came under withering fire from Spandaus on the crest. Private Burton rushed forward and engaging the first Spandau’s position with his Tommy-gun, killed the crew of three.

When the assault was again held up by murderous fire from more machine guns, Private Burton, again showing complete disregard for his own safety, dashed forward toward the first machine-gun, using his Tommy-gun until his ammunition was exhausted. He then picked up a Bren gun and, firing from the hip, succeeded in killing or wounding the crews of the two machine-guns. Thanks to his outstanding courage the Company was then able to consolidate on the forward slope of the feature.

Private Burton’s magnificent gallantry and total disregard of his own safety during many hours of fierce fighting in mud and continuous rain were an inspiration to all his comrades. London Gazette, 04^th January 1945)

4624899 Corporal (Acting Sergeant) Hanson Victor TURNER.

Joined the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in 1940, earned the posthumous award while serving with the 1^st Battalion The West Yorkshire Regiment.

In Burma, at Ningthoukong, soon after midnight of 6^th/7^th June 1944 an attack was made by a strong force of Japanese. Three out of four light machine-guns in Sergeant Turner’s platoon were destroyed and the platoon forced to give ground. Sergeant Turner, with coolness and fine leadership, at once reorganised his party and withdrew 40 yards.

When it was clear that the enemy were attempting to outflank the position, Sergeant Turner at once, boldly and fearlessly, went forward from his position alone, armed with all the hand grenades he could carry, and went into attack against the enemy single-handed. He used his weapons with devastating effect and when his supply was exhausted he went back for more and returned to the offensive again. During all this time the enemy were keeping up intense small arms and grenade fire.

Sergeant Turner in all made five journeys to obtain further supplies of grenade and it was on this sixth occasion still single-handed, while throwing a grenade among a party of the enemy, that he was killed. He displayed outstanding valour and had not the slightest thought for his own safety. He died on the battlefield in a spirit of supreme self-sacrifice. (London Gazette, 17^th August 1944)