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The Victoria Cross (VC) is
the highest recognition for valour "in the face of the enemy"
that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed
forces of any rank in any service, and civilians under military command.
The decoration is a cross pattée,
1.375 inches (35 mm) wide, bearing a crown surmounted by a lion, and
the inscription "FOR VALOUR". This was originally to have
been "FOR BRAVERY", until it was changed on the recommendation
of Queen Victoria, who thought some might erroneously consider that
only the recipients of the VC were brave in battle. The decoration,
suspension bar and link weigh about 0.87 troy ounces (27 g).
The recipient's name, rank,
number and unit are engraved on the back of the suspension bar, and
the date of the act for which it was awarded on the back of the cross.
The ribbon is crimson, 1.5
inches (38 mm) wide. The original 1856 specification for the award stated
that the ribbon should be red for army recipients and blue for naval
ones. However the dark blue ribbon was abolished with the formation
of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, and living recipients of the
naval version were required to exchange their ribbons for red ones.
Established 29 January 1856
Total awarded 1,356
The Lancashire Fusiliers have been awarded 19
to read more about the Victoria
Cross
Click on the link below
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Cross
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