The Victoria Cross (VC)
is a military
decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members
of armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British
Empire territories. It takes precedence over all other postnominals
and medals. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service
and civilians under military command, and is presented to the
recipient by the British monarch during an investiture held at
Buckingham Palace. It is the joint highest award for bravery in the
United Kingdom with the George Cross, which is the equivalent honour
for valour not in the face of the enemy.
The VC was introduced in 1856 by Queen Victoria to reward acts of
valour during the Crimean War. Since then the medal has been awarded
1,356 times to 1,353 individual recipients. Only 14 medals have been
awarded since the end of the Second World War. The traditional
explanation of the source of the gunmetal from which the medals are
struck is that it derives from Russian cannon captured at the siege
of Sevastopol.
Edward Kinder Bradbury VC
(16 August 1881-1 September 1914) was an English recipient of the
Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry
in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and
Commonwealth forces.
He was 33 years old, and a Captain in the 'L' Bty., Royal Horse
Artillery (Royal Artillery), British Army during the First World War
when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 1 September 1914 at Néry, France, during a fierce attack by the
enemy, when all the officers of 'L' Battery were either killed or
wounded, Captain Bradbury, although having had one leg taken off by
a shell, continued to direct the fire of the battery until he died.
George
Thomas Dorrell (VC, MBE) (July 7, 1880–7 January 1971) was an English recipient of the
Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry
in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and
Commonwealth forces.
He was 34 years old, and a Battery Sergeant Major in the 'L' Bty.,
Royal Artillery (RHA), British Army during the First World War when
the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 1 September 1914 at Néry, France, during a fierce attack by the
enemy, all the officers of 'L' Battery were either killed or
wounded, including the officer (Edward Kinder Bradbury) in command,
who, although having had one leg taken off by a shell, continued to
direct the firing until he died. Battery Sergeant-Major Dorrell then
took over command with the support of a sergeant (David Nelson) and
continued to fire one of the guns until all the ammunition was
expended.
David Nelson VC
(3 April 1886–8 April 1918) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria
Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the
face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth
forces.
Nelson was born Deraghland, Stradnoden, Co Monaghan. He was 28 years
old, and a sergeant in 'L' Battery, Royal Artillery (RHA), British
Army during the World War I when the following deed took place for
which he was awarded the VC.
On 1 September 1914 at Néry, France, Sergeant Nelson helped to bring
the guns into action - with an officer (Edward Kinder Bradbury) and
a warrant officer (George Thomas Dorrell) - under heavy fire and in
spite of being severely wounded. He remained with the guns until all
the ammunition was expended, although he had been ordered to retire
to cover.
He later achieved the rank of major. He was killed in action at
Lillers, France, on 8 April 1918.
All 3VCs are currently held at the
Imperial War Museum
2nd Regiment Royal Artillery
