World War I Victoria Cross

Product Description: This Miniature Victoria Cross medal is made from lead-free pewter that is bronzed. It is supplied with approximately 9cm of ribbon. The medal is mounted on a fold-over information card that has a colour image of British troops carrying a wounded soldier and a red poppy on the front and has historical information about the medal during World War I on the reverse.

Information: The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest recognition for valour “in the face of the enemy”. It can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces of any rank, in any service, and civilians under military command. It was awarded 628 times to 627 recipients for action in the First World (1914-1918) and accounts for almost half the Victoria Crosses awarded throughout history.

On 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the British Army endured the bloodiest day in its history, suffering around 57,000 casualties and 19,000 dead; nine Victoria Crosses were awarded for actions on that day.

Noel Godfrey Chavasse was awarded the Victoria Cross twice for two separate actions in the First World War on the battlefields near Mametz and at Passchendaele. He died from wounds received in the second action.