Visitor information

The Hall of Valour

The Hall of Valour honours the ninety-eight 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. The metal used in all Victoria Crosses is taken from the guns captured from the Russians at Sebastopol during the Crimean War of 1854–56.

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
• 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