VCs of the First World War: The Naval VCs

VCs of the First World War: The Naval VCs PDF Author: Stephen Snelling
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0750951974
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 472

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Book Description
The Naval VCs is a complete record of almost fifty men who won the Victoria Cross while serving in the Royal Navy during the First World War. They include the conflict's youngest and oldest winners in operations ranging from the Atlantic to the coast of Africa and from the Straits of Otranto to the rivers of Mesopotamia. These awards were won aboard all manner of fighting ships, from disguised schooner to light cruiser, from motor launch to submarine and from river steamer to battle cruiser. This book charts the lives and careers of the VC recipients and presents graphic accounts of their award-winning actions based on original material, much of it from eyewitness sources.

VCs of the First World War: The Naval VCs

VCs of the First World War: The Naval VCs PDF Author: Stephen Snelling
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0750951974
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 472

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Book Description
The Naval VCs is a complete record of almost fifty men who won the Victoria Cross while serving in the Royal Navy during the First World War. They include the conflict's youngest and oldest winners in operations ranging from the Atlantic to the coast of Africa and from the Straits of Otranto to the rivers of Mesopotamia. These awards were won aboard all manner of fighting ships, from disguised schooner to light cruiser, from motor launch to submarine and from river steamer to battle cruiser. This book charts the lives and careers of the VC recipients and presents graphic accounts of their award-winning actions based on original material, much of it from eyewitness sources.

Victoria Cross Heroes

Victoria Cross Heroes PDF Author: Michael Ashcroft
Publisher: Headline
ISBN: 0755364503
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 287

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Book Description
This ebook edition contains the full text version as per the book. Doesn't include original photographic and illustrated material. VICTORIA CROSS HEROES tells the stories of over 150 individuals whose bravery has earned them the Victoria Cross, Britain's most prestigious medal for courage in action. The book is introduced by Michael Ashcroft, who owns over ten per cent of all VCs ever awarded. He explains the history of the medal and the story of his fascination with it. The main text of the book tells the stories of both those recipients whose medals are in his collection and those whose stories featured in the television series. Each chapter covers a different conflict, from the Crimean War to Iraq.

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.

VCs of the First World War: Gallipoli

VCs of the First World War: Gallipoli PDF Author: Stephen Snelling
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0752487523
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 361

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Book Description
The landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25 April 1915 represented the greatest amphibious operation carried out during the course of the First World War. What had initially been a purely naval enterprise had escalated to become a full-scale Anglo-French invasion, resulting in an eight-month campaign which Churchill hoped would knock Turkey out of the war. For a campaign that promised so much, it ultimately became a tragedy of lost opportunities. By January 1916, when the last men were taken off the peninsula, the casualties totalled 205,000. This book tells the stories of the 39 men whose bravery on the battlefield was rewarded by the Victoria Cross, among them the war's first Australian VC, first New Zealand VC, and first Royal Marine VC. It represents the highest number of VCs won in a theatre of war, other than the Western Front.

The Royal Naval Division

The Royal Naval Division PDF Author: Douglas Jerrold
Publisher: London, Hutchinson
ISBN:
Category : GREAT BRITAIN ARMY ROYAL NAVAL DIVISION
Languages : en
Pages : 456

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Book Description


Symbol of Courage

Symbol of Courage PDF Author: Max Arthur
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 9780330491334
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 750

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Book Description
The Victoria Cross can only be awarded for most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. It has been awarded only 1,354 times since the Crimean War, the majority going to British and Commonwealth troops. Symbol of Courage vividly brings the story of the medal to life, giving a narrative history from the Crimean War to the recent war in Afghanistan. It includes many first-hand accounts of individual acts of bravery and describes what happened to the VC holders, some of whom found it was harder wearing the medal than winning it. It also gives a complete listing of every VC holder with details of the action in which they won the medal. Written by acclaimed military historian Max Arthur, this is a fascinating and comprehensive study that will appeal to everyone who is interested in military history.The Victoria Cross is Britains most famous medalit has a great emotional appeal and this book is full of stories of remarkable courage. Max Arthurs last book, Forgotten Voices of the Great War, sold over 84,000 copies in paperback for Ebury. The first book for many years to give a complete history of the medal. There are many Commonwealth holders so there should be a market outside the UK.

The Complete Victoria Cross

The Complete Victoria Cross PDF Author: Kevin Brazier
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1473872065
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 450

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Book Description
This fully revised paperback edition of the complete chronological record of VC holders is an essential work of reference for every student of military history. All the British and Commonwealth servicemen who have been awarded the highest honour for exceptional acts of bravery and self-sacrifice are commemorated here. The first VCs awarded for the Crimean War and in the nineteenth-century colonial wars are described, as are the VCs awarded in the world wars of the twentieth century and the most recent VCs awarded during present-day conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The extraordinary exploits recounted in this fascinating book make unforgettable reading.

Teddy Sheean VC

Teddy Sheean VC PDF Author: Doctor Tom Lewis
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1922387916
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 366

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Book Description
No-one will ever know what made him do it. In 1942, 18-year-old Edward “Teddy” Sheean was one of the youngest and most inexperienced sailors on board the the corvette HMAS Armidale. Whilst on operation in the Timor Sea this warship came under heavy attack by Japanese aircraft. Armidale began sinking while swarmed by Japanese aircraft, strafing and bombing the stricken vessel and the crew who were desperately trying to Abandon Ship. The wounded Ordinary Seaman turned back to his gun, an Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft cannon and strapped himself into the harness. He began firing at the attacking Japanese aircraft, a courageous young man, determined to do his best to save his mates. This selfless act of valour helped save the lives of 49 crew, before Teddy himself went down with the Armidale. No member of the Royal Australian Navy has ever been awarded a Victoria Cross. Teddy’s family and many others took up his case and fought for his recognition. It took more than 70 years for Teddy to becomes the first in Australia’s Naval history to receive this highest award ¬– confirming Teddy Sheean is an Australian hero. Sheean is the 101st VC awarded to an Australian

 PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 1036109062
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 498

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Book Description


Spring Offensive, 1918

Spring Offensive, 1918 PDF Author: Gerald Gliddon
Publisher: Alan Sutton Publishing
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 232

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Book Description
The chronicle of the fighting retreat during numerous battles from March until July 1918, during which 57 British and Empire solders won the Victoria Cross for their valor. On March 21, 1918 the German Army launched a massive assault on the Western Front hurling 59 divisions into battle against the British Fifth Army, smashing through British lines and advancing 40 miles a week. Their aim was to reempt the imminent American reinforcement of the Allied forces. Although the German Army left the British Army reeling, the Tommies retreated in good order and fought all the way -- and the 57 stories here reveal the fiercest and bravest fighting of all.