The Hall of Valour
The Hall of Valour honours the ninety-nine Australians who have received the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery in time of war. Amid great battles and the movements of armies, the exploits of courageous individuals have always provided inspiration. The Hall of Valour recognises the deeds of ordinary Australians under the extraordinary conditions of war.
The Victoria Cross was instituted in 1856 by Queen Victoria and made retrospective to 1854 to cover the period of the Crimean War. It was awarded to Australians for valour in several major conflicts since the Boer War until replaced by the Victoria Cross for Australia in 1991. The change was minimal; the bronze cross and maroon ribbon were retained and the new award carried all the prestige and tradition of the Imperial Victoria Cross. In 1940 the George Cross had been introduced as a bravery award of comparable status to the Victoria Cross, although it was primarily for civilians or for servicemen and women acting beyond any direct contact with the enemy. In 1971 it was replaced in Australia by the Cross of Valour.
Read more:
- Australian recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Victoria Crosses at the Memorial
- The Gallipoli VCs
- More about the Victoria Cross and the Victoria Cross for Australia
- The George Cross
- Governor General's speech from the official opening of the Hall of Valour
- Prime Minister's speech from the official opening of the Hall of Valour
Watch our videos
War stories features Keith Payne VC, Mark Donaldson VC, Benjamin Roberts-Smith VC and the Memorial's Nick Fletcher.
Definition of valour Peter Burness explains the significance of the Hall of Valour, the qualities of those awarded the Victoria Cross and the definition of valour.
See more images of the Hall of Valour on our Flickr set
