Victoria Cross

Introduced as the premier award for gallantry, available for all ranks, to cover all actions since the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1854, it was allegedly created on the suggestion of Prince Albert, The Prince Consort.

Of the 1,355 awards since 1856, 833 have gone to the Army, 107 to the Navy, 31 to the RAF, 10 to the Royal Marines and 4 to civillians. Second award bars have been awarded 3 times. The facility for posthumous awards, made retrospective of 1856, began in 1902 and was confirmed in 1907.