History of the Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross owes its evolution to the Crimean War when it was realised that within the British system there was no award open to all ranks without any distinction as to rank or service. The reports by the Times correspondent, William Russell, had brought home to the British public the extraordinary gallantry of the British soldier and at the opening of Parliament in 1854 Her Majesty Queen Victoria, during the Speech from the Throne, paid tribute to the soldiers of "her unconquerable Army" and expressed her admiration and gratitude to them. Consequently on the 19th December 1854 Capt. G.T. Scobell, M.P. moved on the House of Commons -

"that an humble address be presented to Her Majesty to institute an 'Order of Merit' to be bestowed upon persons serving in the Army or Navy for distinguished and prominent personal gallantry during the present war and to which every grade and individual... may be admissible."

An assurance was given by the Government of the day that such an Order was under consideration and in an answer to the House of Commons given on the 19th March 1855 as a result of further questioning on the matter the Prime Minister of the day said:

"It is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to Establish an order of that description... it will apply to both Services because we hope that merit will be equally prominent in both."

From this time on, the formation of the text of the Warrant instituting the Victoria Cross was being carried out with Her Majesty Queen Victoria being closely involved. By January 1856 the designs for the medal were being submitted by Lord Panmure, Secretary for War, to Her Majesty.