- The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for
valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed
forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire
territories.
- It taked precedence over all other orders, decorations and
medals. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and
to civilians under military command.
- The Victoria Cross was introduced on 29 january 1856 by Queen
Victoria to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War. Since then,
the medal had been awarded some 1360 times. Since the Second World War
only 13 medals have been awarded till now (october 2012).
- Only three people have been awarded the Victoria Cross and Bar,
the bar representing a second award of the Victoria Cross. They are:
Noel Chavasse and Arthur Martin-Leake, both doctors in the Royal Army
Medical Corps and Charles Upham, an infantryman, for combat
actions.
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