Victoria Cross Heroes of World War One

Victoria Cross Heroes of World War One PDF Author: Robert Hamilton
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781909242425
Category : Great Britain
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The Victoria Cross had been in existence over 60 years when Archduke Franz Ferdinand fell to an assassins bullet, the event that triggered a Europe-wide call to arms in August 1914. It was an award that democratised military honours, for it was open to all ranks, the sole qualification being a display of conspicuous bravery in the field. The sovereign whose name it bore was personally responsible for the Crosss simple legend: For Valour. Forged, it is said, from cannons captured during the Crimean War, the medals were rather too plain for some tastes. The Times derided the VC as a dull, heavy, tasteless prize when the first investiture ceremony took place in Hyde Park on 26 June 1857. But its virtue, quite deliberately, lay in its very simplicity. It was the action for which the medal was given that should dazzle, not the decoration itself. The Victoria Cross became pre-eminent: first in line when pinned to a uniform or appended to a recipients name. Over 500 VCs had been awarded by the outbreak of the First World War. That figure more than doubled during the four-year-long conflict. Trench warfare, when the rival camps might be dug in less than 100 yards apart, afforded endless opportunities to show courage and mettle in the face of the enemy. Many were honoured for attacking feats, often taking the fight to the foe when the odds were stacked against survival. But hurling oneself into the fray was but one of valours many faces. Stretcher-bearers, medical staff, pipers and chaplains also showed the same strength in adversity, the same disregard for personal safety, the same willingness to exceed the call of duty. And, in over 180 instances, a readiness to make the ultimate sacrifice for King and Country. The call to act could come at any moment. In William McFadzeans case it came when the safety pins slipped from two grenades in a crowded trench just before the Somme battle. He flung himself onto the bombs, saving his comrades at the cost of his own life. For Rex Warneford it came in the skies over Ghent on 7 June 1915, when he became the first man to down a German airship in flight. He was thrown from his plane during a flight ten days later. For Jack Cornwell it came during the Battle of Jutland, when, mortally wounded, he stuck doggedly to his post awaiting orders. He was 16 years old. This book chronicles the inspiring, thrilling, humbling and deeply moving stories behind the 628 Victoria Crosses awarded during the course of the Great War. Without inscription, those 628 medals, like all the others cast by London jewelers, Hancocks over the past century and a half, would have no intrinsic worth. Once earned, inscribed and conferred, they assume inestimable value.

Victoria Cross Heroes of World War One

Victoria Cross Heroes of World War One PDF Author: Robert Hamilton
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781909242425
Category : Great Britain
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Victoria Cross had been in existence over 60 years when Archduke Franz Ferdinand fell to an assassins bullet, the event that triggered a Europe-wide call to arms in August 1914. It was an award that democratised military honours, for it was open to all ranks, the sole qualification being a display of conspicuous bravery in the field. The sovereign whose name it bore was personally responsible for the Crosss simple legend: For Valour. Forged, it is said, from cannons captured during the Crimean War, the medals were rather too plain for some tastes. The Times derided the VC as a dull, heavy, tasteless prize when the first investiture ceremony took place in Hyde Park on 26 June 1857. But its virtue, quite deliberately, lay in its very simplicity. It was the action for which the medal was given that should dazzle, not the decoration itself. The Victoria Cross became pre-eminent: first in line when pinned to a uniform or appended to a recipients name. Over 500 VCs had been awarded by the outbreak of the First World War. That figure more than doubled during the four-year-long conflict. Trench warfare, when the rival camps might be dug in less than 100 yards apart, afforded endless opportunities to show courage and mettle in the face of the enemy. Many were honoured for attacking feats, often taking the fight to the foe when the odds were stacked against survival. But hurling oneself into the fray was but one of valours many faces. Stretcher-bearers, medical staff, pipers and chaplains also showed the same strength in adversity, the same disregard for personal safety, the same willingness to exceed the call of duty. And, in over 180 instances, a readiness to make the ultimate sacrifice for King and Country. The call to act could come at any moment. In William McFadzeans case it came when the safety pins slipped from two grenades in a crowded trench just before the Somme battle. He flung himself onto the bombs, saving his comrades at the cost of his own life. For Rex Warneford it came in the skies over Ghent on 7 June 1915, when he became the first man to down a German airship in flight. He was thrown from his plane during a flight ten days later. For Jack Cornwell it came during the Battle of Jutland, when, mortally wounded, he stuck doggedly to his post awaiting orders. He was 16 years old. This book chronicles the inspiring, thrilling, humbling and deeply moving stories behind the 628 Victoria Crosses awarded during the course of the Great War. Without inscription, those 628 medals, like all the others cast by London jewelers, Hancocks over the past century and a half, would have no intrinsic worth. Once earned, inscribed and conferred, they assume inestimable value.

VCs of the First World War: Spring Offensive 1918

VCs of the First World War: Spring Offensive 1918 PDF Author: Gerald Gliddon
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0752492349
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 392

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Book Description
At the end of 1917, after three years of trench warfare on the Western Front, the Allied armies of Britain and France, and those of their main opponent, Germany, had reached a point of exhaustion and hibernation. On March 21 1918, the German Army launched a massive assault on the Western Front, hurling fifty-nine divisions into battle against the British Fifth Army, smashing through British lines and advancing 40 miles per week. More offensives were to follow throughout the spring, including at Aisne and Marne, with the aim of ending the war before American forces could reach the Continent and reinforce the Allied lines. Nevertheless, although the German Army left the British Army reeling, the Tommies retreated in good order and fought all the way. It was during these bloody battles, which lasted until July 1918, that fifty-seven men stood out for acts of extraordinary daring and bravery. To these men the highest military honour was awarded – the Victoria Cross. This book reveals the true extent of their bravery, their backgrounds and their lives after the war.

Who's who in Wales

Who's who in Wales PDF Author: Arthur Mee
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biography
Languages : en
Pages : 588

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Book Description


VCs of the First World War: The Air VCs

VCs of the First World War: The Air VCs PDF Author: Peter G. Cooksley
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0752493922
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 326

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Book Description
Of more than 600 Victoria Crosses awarded to British and Empire servicemen during the First World War, nineteen were awarded to airmen of the newly formed Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service. Of these, four were posthumous awards and all but one of the total were to officers. Some of these valorous airmen were from humble backgrounds and with limited education; others were collegiate men from wealthy families. But in the words of one senior officer they all had in common 'the guts of a lion'. Each VS winner's act of bravery is recorded here in intricate detail, along with their backgrounds and their lives after the war.

Planes and Personalities: a Pot-pourri

Planes and Personalities: a Pot-pourri PDF Author: A. Cunningham Reid
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Airplanes, Military
Languages : en
Pages : 228

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Book Description
"...He [referring to the author] describes fully the complete work of our air forces, and with a rare touch of humour gives a general outline of his own career step by step through the many different jobs to which a pilot in the R.A.F. had to turn his hand. Some of these brough him in close contact with the Prince of Wales and Prince Albert, and he describes their activities in the air for the first time and gives us a new and charming insight into two splendid careers"--from the Introduction.

For Conspicuous Gallantry...

For Conspicuous Gallantry... PDF Author: Scott Addington
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 190523743X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 384

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Book Description
Offers a military history and a comprehensive reference on winners of the Military Cross and Bar during The Great War. Concentrating on winners of Two Bars and Three Bars to the Military Cross, this book examines each officer's war career, and includes citations for the MC+Bar, along with excerpts of Battalion diaries.

The Reader's Index

The Reader's Index PDF Author: Croydon Public Libraries
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Library catalogs
Languages : en
Pages : 606

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Book Description


Debrett's Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionage

Debrett's Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionage PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Baronetage
Languages : en
Pages : 2168

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Book Description


London Gazette

London Gazette PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 42

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Book Description


Hazell's Annual

Hazell's Annual PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 710

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Book Description