List of Second World War Victoria Cross recipients
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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 Orders, decorations and medals; it may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and to civilians under military command.[1] The award was officially constituted when Queen Victoria issued a warrant under the Royal sign-manual on 29 January 1856 that was gazetted on 5 February 1856.[2] The order was backdated to 1854 to recognise acts of valour during the Crimean War.[3] The first awards ceremony was held on 26 June 1857, where Queen Victoria invested 62 of the 111 Crimean recipients in a ceremony in Hyde Park.[4]
The Victoria Cross was awarded 182 times to 181 recipients for action in the Second World War. The war, also known as World War II (WWII), was a global military conflict that involved a majority of the world's nations, including all of the great powers, organised into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. The war involved the mobilisation of more than 100 million military personnel, making it the most widespread war in history. In a state of "total war", the major participants placed their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities at the service of the war effort, erasing the distinction between civilian and military resources. Throughout the six-year duration of the war, weapons and technology improved rapidly, including the use of jet aircraft, radar and nuclear weapons. More than 70 million people, the majority of whom were civilians, were killed, making it the deadliest conflict in human history.[5]
The start of the war is generally held to be 1 September 1939, with the German invasion of Poland and subsequent declarations of war on Germany by most of the Crown Colonies of the British Empire and Commonwealth, and by France. The first Victoria Cross of the war was awarded to Gerard Roope for action whilst in command of HMS Glowworm (although not gazetted until 1945). The war at sea began immediately after war was declared with the Battle of the Atlantic, in which German U-boats attempted to disrupt and destroy allied convoys. Throughout the war the Royal Navy was tasked with guarding vital shipping lanes and enabling amphibious operations across the globe; the St Nazaire Raid saw five Victoria Crosses awarded.[6] The Battle of the Mediterranean was fought throughout the war and included the Battle of Taranto and Battle of Matapan, as well as protecting convoys including the Malta convoys. In total, 23 servicemen from the Royal Navy were awarded the Victoria Cross including one Royal Marine. Aerial warfare came into its own in World War II with several distinct roles emerging. The role of fighter planes developed during the Battle of Britain, where the Royal Air Force fought for air superiority against the Luftwaffe. The Battle of Britain was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces. It was the largest and most sustained bombing campaign until that date. Initially, RAF airfields were attacked, however as the battle progressed, operations were extended to the strategic level with The Blitz. Britain also conducted controversial strategic bombing campaigns in Europe and Asia; they involved hundreds of aircraft dropping tens of thousands of tons of munitions over a single city. Tactical strikes were also carried out by the RAF including Operation Chastise, where No. 617 Squadron RAF attacked German dams in the Ruhr valley using "bouncing bombs"; Guy Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross for this action.
The war on the land did not begin until May 1940, as Britain and France were involved in a Phoney War between Germany and the Franco-British alliance. The phoney war ended with the Battle of France where Germany invaded Benelux and subsequently France, which forced British troops to escape from Dunkirk. In 1941, war spread to the Middle East and North Africa as well as the East African Campaign. The United States officially joined the war in December 1941 after the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1942, British forces under Lieutenant General Bernard Montgomery defeated the Axis forces of General Erwin Rommel in the Second Battle of El Alamein, which marked a major turning point in the Western Desert campaign and the North African campaign. It ended Axis hopes of occupying Egypt, taking control of the Suez Canal, and gaining access to the Middle Eastern oil fields. Nine VCs were awarded for action in the Western Desert Campaign. By 1943, the war was being fought in several theatres, including the Pacific, North Africa and Southeast Asia. The Burma campaign of the Pacific War took place from 1942 to 1945, and saw 29 Victoria Crosses awarded. By 1944 and the Allied invasion of Normandy, the Allies were making ground in several theatres including advances in the Burma campaign. In Europe, the unsuccessful raid on Arnhem saw five soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross, four posthumously.[7] In May 1945, the Allies accepted the unconditional surrender of German forces, celebrated with VE Day. Actions after VE Day until the war in the Pacific was ended with the surrender of Japan on board USS Missouri on 2 September 1945.[8] saw seven Commonwealth servicemen awarded the VC.
Charles Upham received the Victoria Cross and Bar; two awards for two acts. Upham was only the third recipient of the Victoria Cross and Bar, and the first for combatant actions; the previous two recipients were medical officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps.[9]
Of the 181 recipients 85 (46.96%) were awarded posthumously.
Recipients
- This along with a * indicates a posthumous award
Name | Unit | Date of action | Place of action |
---|---|---|---|
Arthur Aaron | No. 218No. 218 Squadron RAF | 1943-08-1212 August 1943* | Turin, Italy[A] |
Michael Allmand | 0066th Gurkha Rifles | 1944-06-1111 June 1944 23 June 1944* | Pin Hmi Road Bridge, Burma |
Charles Anderson | 002.192/19th Battalion, AIF | 1942-01-1818–22 January 1942 | Muar, Malaya |
Eric Anderson | East Yorkshire Regiment | 1943-04-066 April 1943* | Battle of Wadi Akarit, Tunisia |
John Anderson | Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) | 1943-04-2323 April 1943 | Longstop Hill, Tunisia |
Richard Annand | Durham Light Infantry | 1940-05-1515–16 May 1940 | River Dyle, Belgium |
Cyril Barton | No. 578No. 578 Squadron RAF | 1944-03-3030 March 1944* | Nuremberg, Germany[A] |
John Baskeyfield | South Staffordshire Regiment | 1944-09-2020 September 1944* | Arnhem, the Netherlands |
Sidney Bates | Royal Norfolk Regiment | 1944-08-066 August 1944*[C] | Sourdeval, France |
Ian Bazalgette | No. 635No. 635 Squadron RAF | 1944-08-044 August 1944* | Trossy St. Maximin, France[A] |
Stephen Beattie | HMS Campbeltown | 1942-03-2727 March 1942 | St Nazaire, France |
John Beeley | King's Royal Rifle Corps | 1941-11-2121 November 1941* | Sidi Rezegh, Libya |
Premindra Bhagat | Corps of Indian Engineers | 1941-01-3131 January 1941 to 1 February 1941 | Gallabat, Abyssinia |
Frank Blaker | 0099th Gurkha Rifles | 1944-07-099 July 1944* | Taunggyi, Burma |
John Brunt | Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) | 1944-12-099 December 1944* | Faenza, Italy |
Richard Burton | Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment | 1944-10-088 October 1944 | Monte Ceco, Italy |
Robert Cain | South Staffordshire Regiment | 1944-09-1717–25 September 1944 | Arnhem, the Netherlands |
George Cairns | South Staffordshire Regiment | 1944-03-1313 March 1944*[C] | Henu Block, Burma |
Donald Cameron | HMS X6 | 1943-09-2222 September 1943 | Kåfjord, Norway |
John Campbell | Royal Horse Artillery | 1941-11-2121–23 November 1941 | Sidi Rezegh, Libya |
Kenneth Campbell | No. 022No. 22 Squadron RAF | 1941-04-066 April 1941* | Brest, France[A] |
Lorne Campbell | Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) | 1943-04-066 April 1943 | Wadi Akarit, Tunisia |
Edward Chapman | Monmouthshire Regiment | 1945-04-022 April 1945 | Dortmund-Ems Canal, Germany |
Edward Charlton | Irish Guards | 1945-04-2121 April 1945* | Wistedt, Germany |
Leonard Cheshire | No. 035No. 35 Squadron RAF No. 76 Squadron RAF No. 617 Squadron RAF | 1940-00-00June 1940–July 1944[D] | Over Europe[A] |
Albert Chowne | 002.022/2nd Battalion, AIF | 1945-03-2525 March 1945* | Dagua, New Guinea |
Aubrey Cosens | Queen's Own Rifles of Canada | 1945-02-2625–26 February 1945* | Mooshof, Germany |
John Cruickshank | No. 210No. 210 Squadron RAF | 1944-07-1717–18 July 1944 | Atlantic Ocean[A] |
Arthur Cumming | Frontier Force Regiment | 1942-01-033 January 1942 | Kuantan, Malaya |
David Currie | South Alberta Regiment | 1944-08-1818–20 August 1944 | Battle of Falaise, France |
Roden Cutler | Royal Australian Artillery | 1941-06-1919 June 1941 to 6 July 1941 | Merdjayoun-Damour, Lebanon |
Tom Derrick | 002.482/48th Battalion, AIF | 1943-11-2424 November 1943 | Sattelberg, New Guinea |
Fazal Din | 01010th Baluch Regiment | 1945-03-022 March 1945* | Meiktila, Burma |
Dennis Donnini | Royal Scots Fusiliers | 1945-01-1818 January 1945* | Stein, (Selfkant) Germany |
Thomas Durrant | Corps of Royal Engineers | 1942-03-2727 March 1942*[C] | St Nazaire, France |
George Eardley | King's Shropshire Light Infantry | 1944-10-1616 October 1944 | Overloon, the Netherlands |
John Edmondson | 002.172/17th Battalion, AIF | 1941-04-1313–14 April 1941*[C] | Tobruk, Libya |
Hughie Edwards | No. 105No. 105 Squadron RAF | 1941-07-044 July 1941 | Bremen, Germany[A] |
Keith Elliott | 02222nd Battalion, NZEF | 1942-07-1515 July 1942 | Ruweisat, Egypt |
Harold Ervine-Andrews | East Lancashire Regiment | 1940-05-3131 May 1940 to 1 June 1940 | Dunkirk, France |
Eugene Esmonde | 825825 Naval Air Squadron | 1942-02-1212 February 1942* | Straits of Dover, England[A] |
Edward Fegen | HMS Jervis Bay | 1940-11-055 November 1940* | Atlantic Ocean |
Henry Foote | 0077th Royal Tank Regiment | 1942-05-2727 May 1942 to 15 June 1942 | Libya |
John Foote | Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps | 1942-08-1919 August 1942 | Dieppe, France |
Ian Fraser | HMS XE3 | 1945-07-3131 July 1945 | Johore Straits, Singapore |
John French | 002.092/9th Battalion, AIF | 1942-09-044 September 1942* | Milne Bay, New Guinea |
Christopher Furness | Welsh Guards | 1940-05-1717–24 May 1940* | Arras, France |
Philip Gardner | 0044th Royal Tank Regiment | 1941-11-2323 November 1941 | Tobruk, Libya |
Donald Garland | No. 012No. 12 Squadron RAF | 1940-05-1212 May 1940* | Albert Canal, Belgium[A] |
Yeshwant Ghadge | Maratha Light Infantry | 1944-07-1010 July 1944* | Upper Tiber Valley, Italy |
Gaje Ghale | 0055th Gurkha Rifles | 1943-05-2424 May 1943 | Chin Hills, Burma |
Guy Gibson | No. 617No. 617 Squadron RAF | 1943-05-1616 May 1943[E] | Möhne Dam, Germany[A] |
James Gordon | 002.312/31st Battalion, AIF | 1941-07-1010 July 1941 | Djezzine, Syria |
Thomas Gould | HMS Thrasher | 1942-02-1616 February 1942 | Crete, Mediterranean Sea |
Percival Gratwick | 002.482/48th Battalion, AIF | 1942-10-2525–26 October 1942* | Miteiriya Ridge, Egypt |
Robert Gray (RCNVR) | HMS Formidable | 1945-08-099 August 1945* | Honshū, Japan[A] |
Thomas Gray | No. 012No. 12 Squadron RAF | 1940-05-1212 May 1940* | Albert Canal, Belgium[A] |
John Grayburn | Parachute Regiment | 1944-09-1717–20 September 1944* | Arnhem, the Netherlands |
George Gristock | Royal Norfolk Regiment | 1940-05-2121 May 1940*[C] | River Escaut, Belgium |
George Gunn | 0033rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery | 1941-11-2121 November 1941* | Sidi Rezegh, Libya |
Arthur Gurney | 002.482/48th Battalion, AIF | 1942-07-2222 July 1942* | El Alamein, Egypt |
Bhanbhagta Gurung | 0022nd Gurkha Rifles | 1945-03-055 March 1945 | Tamandu, Burma |
Lachhiman Gurung | 0088th Gurkha Rifles | 1945-05-1212–13 May 1945 | Taungdaw, Burma |
Thaman Gurung | 0085th Gurkha Rifles | 1944-11-1010 November 1944* | Monte San Bartolo, Italy |
Abdul Hafiz | 0099th Jat Infantry | 1944-04-066 April 1944* | Imphal, India |
Ali Haidar | 01313th Frontier Force Rifles | 1945-04-099 April 1945 | Fusignano, Italy |
John Hannah | No. 083No. 83 Squadron RAF | 1940-09-1515 September 1940 | Antwerp, Belgium[A] |
Eric Harden | Royal Army Medical Corps | 1945-01-2323 January 1945* | Brachterbeek, the Netherlands |
John Harman | Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment | 1944-04-088–9 April 1944* | Kohima, India |
John Harper | York and Lancaster Regiment | 1944-09-2929 September 1944* | Antwerp, Belgium |
Jack Hinton | 0022nd Division, NZEF | 1941-04-2929 April 1941 | Kalamai, Greece |
Charles Hoey | Lincolnshire Regiment | 1944-02-1616 February 1944* | Ngakyedauk Pass, Burma |
Stanley Hollis | Green Howards | 1944-06-066 June 1944 | Normandy, France |
David Hornell | No. 162No. 162 Squadron RCAF | 1944-06-2424 June 1944* | Faroes, Atlantic Ocean[A] |
Alec Horwood | Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) | 1944-01-1818–20 January 1944* | Kyauchaw, Burma |
Clive Hulme | 0022nd Division, NZEF | 1941-05-2020–28 May 1941 | Crete, Greece |
Thomas Hunter | 04343 Commando | 1945-04-022 April 1945* | Lake Comacchio, Italy |
James Jackman | Royal Northumberland Fusiliers | 1941-11-2525 November 1941* | Tobruk, Libya |
Norman Jackson | No. 106No. 106 Squadron RAF | 1944-04-2626 April 1944 | Schweinfurt, Germany[A] |
Namdeo Jadav | Maratha Light Infantry | 1945-04-099 April 1945 | Senio River, Italy |
David Jamieson | Royal Norfolk Regiment | 1944-08-077–8 August 1944 | Grimbosq, France |
Francis Jefferson | Lancashire Fusiliers | 1944-05-1616 May 1944 | Monte Cassino, Italy |
Karamjeet Judge | 01515th Punjab Regiment | 1945-03-1818 March 1945* | Meiktila, Burma |
Richard Kelliher | 002.252/25th Battalion, AIF | 1943-09-1313 September 1943 | New Guinea |
Edward Kenna | 002.042/4th Battalion, AIF | 1945-05-1515 May 1945 | Wewak, New Guinea |
John Kenneally | Irish Guards | 1943-04-2828 April 1943 | Dj. Arada, Tunisia |
Geoffrey Keyes | No. 011No. 11 (Scottish) Commando | 1941-11-1717–18 November 1941* | Beda Littoria, Libya |
William Kibby | 002.482/48th Battalion, AIF | 1942-10-2323–31 October 1942* | El Alamein, Egypt |
Bruce Kingsbury | 002.142/14th Battalion, AIF | 1942-08-2929 August 1942 | Isurava, New Guinea |
George Knowland | No. 001No. 1 Commando | 1945-01-3131 January 1945* | Kangaw, Burma |
Ganju Lama | 0077th Gurkha Rifles | 1944-06-1212 June 1944 | Ningthoukhong, India |
Anders Lassen | Special Air Service | 1945-04-088–9 April 1945* | Lake Comacchio, Italy |
Herbert Le Patourel | Hampshire Regiment | 1942-12-033 December 1942 | Tebourba, Tunisia |
Nigel Leakey | King's African Rifles | 1941-05-1919 May 1941* | Colito, Abyssinia |
Roderick Learoyd | No. 049No. 49 Squadron RAF | 1940-08-1212 August 1940 | Dortmund-Ems Canal, Germany[A] |
Ian Liddell | Coldstream Guards | 1945-04-033 April 1945 | Lingen, Germany |
John Linton | HMS Pandora HMS Turbulent | 1939-00-00September 1939 to 23 March 1943*[D] | Mediterranean Sea |
David Lord | No. 271 Squadron RAF | 1944-09-1919 September 1944* | Arnhem, the Netherlands[A] |
Charles Lyell | Scots Guards | 1943-04-2222–27 April 1943* | Dj Bou Arada, Tunisia |
John Mackey | 002.032/3rd Pioneer Battalion, AIF | 1945-05-1212 May 1945* | Tarakan Island, Borneo |
James Magennis | HMS XE3 | 1945-07-3131 July 1945 | Johore Straits, Singapore |
John Mahony | Westminster Regiment | 1944-05-2424 May 1944 | River Melfa, Italy |
Hugh Malcolm | No. 018No. 18 Squadron RAF | 1942-12-044 December 1942* | Chougui, Tunisia[A] |
Leslie Manser | No. 050No. 50 Squadron RAF | 1942-05-3030 May 1942* | Cologne, Germany[A] |
Jack Mantle | HMS Foylebank | 1940-07-044 July 1940* | Portland, England |
Charles Merritt | South Saskatchewan Regiment | 1942-08-1919 August 1942 | Dieppe, France |
Ron Middleton (RAAF) | No. 149No. 149 Squadron RAF | 1942-11-2828 November 1942* | Turin, Italy[A] |
Anthony Miers | HMS Torbay | 1942-03-044–5 March 1942 | Corfu, Greece |
George Mitchell | London Scottish | 1944-01-2323–24 January 1944* | Damiano Ridge, Italy |
Andrew Mynarski | No. 419No. 419 Squadron RCAF | 1944-06-1212 June 1944* | Cambrai, France[A] |
John Nettleton | No. 044No. 44 Squadron RAF | 1942-04-1717 April 1942 | Augsberg, Germany[A] |
Augustus Newman | Essex Regiment | 1942-03-2828 March 1942 | St Nazaire, France |
William Newton | No. 022No. 22 Squadron RAAF | 1943-03-1616–18 March 1943*[D][F] | New Guinea[A] |
Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu | 02828th Māori Battalion, NZEF | 1943-03-2626–27 March 1943* | Tebaga Gap, Tunisia |
Harry Nicholls | Grenadier Guards | 1940-05-2121 May 1940 | River Escaut, Belgium |
Eric Nicolson | No. 249No. 249 Squadron RAF | 1940-08-1616 August 1940 | Southampton, England[A] |
Gerard Norton | Kaffrarian Rifles, South African Army | 1944-08-3131 August 1944 | Montegridolfo, Italy |
John Osborn | Winnipeg Grenadiers | 1941-12-1919 December 1941* | Mount Butler, Hong Kong |
Robert Palmer | No. 109No. 109 Squadron RAF | 1944-12-2323 December 1944*[D] | Cologne, Germany[A] |
Frank Partridge | 0088th Battalion, Militia (Australia) | 1945-07-2424 July 1945 | Bougainville, New Guinea |
Frederick Peters | HMS Walney | 1942-11-088 November 1942 | Oran, Algeria |
Basil Place | HMS X7 | 1943-09-2222 September 1943 | Kåfjord, Norway |
Patrick Porteous | Royal Regiment of Artillery | 1942-08-1919 August 1942 | Dieppe, France |
Tul Pun | 0066th Gurkha Rifles | 1944-06-2323 June 1944 | Mogaung, Burma |
Lionel Queripel | 01010th Parachute Battalion | 1944-09-1919 September 1944* | Arnhem, the Netherlands |
Agansing Rai | 0055th Gurkha Rifles | 1944-06-2626 June 1944 | Bishenpur, India |
Bhandari Ram | 01010th Baluch Regiment | 1944-11-2222 November 1944 | Arakan, Burma |
Chhelu Ram | 0066th Rajputana Rifles | 1943-04-1919–20 April 1943* | Djebel Garci, Tunisia |
Kamal Ram | 0088th Punjab Regiment | 1944-05-1212 May 1944 | River Gari, Italy |
Richhpal Ram | 0066th Rajputana Rifles | 1941-02-077–8 February 1941 | Keren, Eritrea |
John Randle | Royal Norfolk Regiment | 1944-05-044–6 May 1944* | Kohima, India |
Reginald Rattey | 002.2525th Battalion, Militia (Australia) | 1945-03-2222 March 1945 | Bougainville, Solomon Islands |
Claud Raymond | Corps of Royal Engineers | 1945-03-2121 March 1945*[C] | Talaku, Burma |
William Reid | No. 061No. 61 Squadron RAF | 1943-11-033 November 1943 | Düsseldorf, Germany[A] |
Peter Roberts | HMS Thrasher | 1942-02-1616 February 1942 | Crete, Mediterranean Sea |
Maurice Rogers | Wiltshire Regiment | 1944-06-033 June 1944 | Anzio, Italy |
Gerard Roope | HMS Glowworm | 1940-04-088 April 1940 | Norwegian Sea, off Trondheim |
Robert Ryder | HMS Campbeltown | 1942-03-2828 March 1942 | St Nazaire, France |
Willward Sandys-Clarke | Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) | 1943-04-2323 April 1943* | Guiriat El Atach, Tunisia |
William Savage | HM Motor Gun BoatHM Motor Gun Boat | 1942-03-2828 March 1942* | St Nazaire, France |
Arthur Scarf | No. 062No. 62 Squadron RAF | 1941-12-099 December 1941* | Singora, Malaya[A] |
Derek Seagrim | Green Howards | 1943-03-2020–21 March 1943 | Mareth Line, Tunisia |
Alfred Sephton | HMS Coventry | 1941-05-1818 May 1941*[C] | Crete, Mediterranean Sea |
Sher Shah | 01616th Punjab Regiment | 1945-01-1919–20 January 1945* | Kyeyebyin, Burma |
Robert Sherbrooke | HMS Onslow | 1942-12-3131 December 1942 | North Cape, Norway |
William Sidney | Grenadier Guards | 1944-02-088–9 February 1944 | Anzio, Italy |
Gian Singh | 01515th Punjab Regiment | 1945-03-022 March 1945 | Myingyan, Burma |
Nand Singh | Sikh Regiment | 1944-03-1111–12 March 1944 | Maungdaw–Buthidaung Road, Burma |
Parkash Singh | 0088th Punjab Regiment | 1943-01-066 January 1943 | Donbaik, Burma |
Prakash Singh Chib | 01313th Frontier Force Rifles | 1945-02-1616–17 February 1945* | Kanlan Ywathit, Burma |
Ram Singh | 0011st Punjab Regiment | 1944-10-2525 October 1944* | Tiddim, Burma |
Umrao Singh | Royal Indian Artillery | 1944-12-1515–16 December 1944 | Kaladan Valley, Burma |
Ernest Smith | Seaforth Highlanders of Canada | 1944-10-2121–22 October 1944 | River Savio, Italy |
Quentin Smythe | Royal Natal Carabineers, South African Army | 1942-06-055 June 1942 | Alem Hamza, Egypt |
Richard Stannard | HMT Arab | 1940-04-2828 April 1940 to 2 May 1940 | Namsos, Norway |
Leslie Starcevich | 002.432/43rd Battalion, AIF | 1945-06-2828 June 1945 | Beaufort, Borneo |
James Stokes | King's Shropshire Light Infantry | 1945-03-011 March 1945* | Kervenheim, Germany |
Sefanaia Sukanaivalu | Fiji Infantry Regiment | 1944-06-2323 June 1944* | Bougainville, Solomon Islands |
Edwin Swales (SAAF) | No. 582No. 582 Squadron RAF | 1945-02-2323 February 1945* | Pforzheim, Germany[A] |
Lalbahadur Thapa | 0022nd Gurkha Rifles | 1943-04-055–6 April 1943 | Rass-es-Zouai, Tunisia |
Netrabahadur Thapa | 0055th Gurkha Rifles | 1944-06-2525–26 June 1944 | Bishenpur, India |
Sher Thapa | 0099th Gurkha Rifles | 1944-09-1818–19 September 1944* | San Marino, Italy |
George Thompson | No. 009No. 9 Squadron RAF | 1945-01-011 January 1945*[C] | Dortmund-Ems Canal, Germany[A] |
Frederick Tilston | Essex Scottish Regiment | 1945-03-011 March 1945 | Uedem, Germany |
Frederick Topham | 0011st Canadian Parachute Battalion | 1945-03-2424 March 1945 | Rhine, Germany |
Leonard Trent | No. 487No. 487 Squadron RNZAF | 1943-05-033 May 1943 | Amsterdam, the Netherlands[A] |
Lloyd Trigg (RNZAF) | No. 200No. 200 Squadron RAF | 1943-08-1111 August 1943* | Atlantic Ocean[A] |
Paul Triquet | Royal 22e Régiment | 1943-12-1414 December 1943 | Casa Berardi, Italy |
Hanson Turner | West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Own) | 1944-06-066–7 June 1944* | Ningthoukhong, India |
Victor Turner | Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) | 1942-10-2727 October 1942 | El Alamein, Egypt |
Charles Upham | 0022nd Division, NZEF | 1941-05-2222–30 May 1941 14–15 July 1942[B] | Crete, Greece El Ruweisat Ridge, Egypt |
Richard Wakeford | Hampshire Regiment | 1944-05-1313 May 1944 | Cassino, Italy |
Adam Wakenshaw | Durham Light Infantry | 1942-06-2727 June 1942* | Mersa Matruh, Egypt |
Malcolm Wanklyn | HMS Upholder | 1941-05-2424 May 1941 | Sicily, Mediterranean Sea |
Bernard Warburton-Lee | HMS Hardy | 1940-04-1010 April 1940* | Ofotfjord, Norway |
James Ward RNZAF | No. 075No. 75 Squadron RAF | 1941-07-077 July 1941 | Munster, Germany[A] |
Tasker Watkins | Welch Regiment | 1944-08-1616 August 1944 | Barfour, France |
Basil Weston | Green Howards | 1945-03-033 March 1945* | Meiktila, Burma |
Thomas Wilkinson | HMS Li Wo | 1942-02-1414 February 1942* | Java Sea, Malaya |
Eric Wilson | East Surrey Regiment | 1940-08-1111–15 August 1940 | Observation Hill, Somaliland |
Peter Wright | Coldstream Guards | 1943-09-2525 September 1943 | Salerno, Italy |
Notes
- A ^ Victoria Cross was awarded for actions during air combat.
- B ^ This was a Bar to the Victoria Cross
- C ^ Recipient died of their wounds
- D ^ Recipient awarded the Victoria Cross for an extended period of sustained courage and outstanding leadership, rather than a single act of valour.
- E ^ Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross primarily for the raid, but also for leadership and valour demonstrated as master bomber on many previous sorties.
- F ^ Newton was captured by Japanese Forces and beheaded 11 days later.[10]
- G Sergeant H.V. Turner, Subedar Netrabahadur Thapa, Naik Agansing Rai and Rifleman Ganju Lama won their VCs in combat in the state of Manipur in India but the citations wrongly referred to the locations as being in Burma. These errors have been rectified in the list above.
References
- General
- Arthur, Max (2005). Symbol of Courage; Men behind the Medal. Pan Books. ISBN 978-0-330-49133-4.
- Ashcroft, Michael (2006). Victoria Cross Heroes. Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7553-1632-0.
- Crook, M. J. (1975). The Evolution of the Victoria Cross. Midas Books. ISBN 0-85936-041-5.
- "Victoria Cross Registers". The National Archives. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
- Specific
- ^ Ashcroft, Michael; preface; XI–XIII
- ^ The Gazette publishing the original Royal Warrant
"No. 21846". The London Gazette. 5 February 1856. pp. 410–411. - ^ Ashcroft, Michael; pp. 7–10
- ^ Ashcroft, Michael; Preface to Victoria Cross Heroes
- ^ Ashcroft, Michael; p. 255
- ^ Arthur, Max; pp. 419–422
- ^ Arthur, Max; pp. 497–501
- ^ Aschcroft, Michael; pp. 255–256
- ^ Ashcroft, Michael; p. 259
- ^ Arthur, Max; p. 38
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