www.monumentaustralia.org.au

Victoria Cross RecipientsPrint Page Print this page

18-March-2015
18-March-2015

Photographs supplied by Peter F Williams / Russell Byers
The plaque, presented by the people of the United Kingdom, commemorates men from Australia who were awarded the Victoria Cross during World War One. 

The Victoria Cross (VC) is a military decoration awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy"to members of the Australia Armed Forces. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service, and to civilians under military command. Being the highest award in the Australian Honours Order of Wearing, the Victoria Cross takes precedence over all other postnominals and Australian prders and decorations. The Victoria Cross was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856, initially to reward acts of valour during the Crimean War. Because of its rarity and inherent significance, the VC is highly prized, both as an award and as a collector's item, with one medal being sold for over A$1 million at auction. Australians have received the Victoria Cross under the Imperial honours system and later under the Australian Honours System, when in 1991 a new but equivalent award was established by letters patent within the Commonwealth of Australia and its Territories, known as the Victoria Cross for Australia.

The Imperial Victoria Cross has been awarded to ninety-six Australians—91 were received for actions whilst serving with Australian forces, and another 5 were received for actions whilst serving with South African and British forces. The majority of the awards were for action in the First World War when a total of 64 medals were awarded. Nine of these awards were for action during the Gallipoli Campaign.
 

Location

Address:Fairbairn & Limestone Avenues, Hall of Valour, Australian War Memorial , Campbell, 2612
State:ACT
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -35.280483
Long: 149.149052
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
View Google Map

Details

Monument Type:Plaque
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:WW1
Actual Event Start Date:04-August-1914
Actual Event End Date:28-June-1919

Dedication

Front Inscription

From the people of the United Kingdom in honour of those men from Australia 

[ Names ]

who were awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for gallantry, during the First World War 
 

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au