Australian War Memorial Logo
Search
  • Online Shop Use this login for Shop items, and image, film, sound reproductions
    Cart  |  Log In
  • Collection Open Information Close Information
    • Official Histories & Unit Diaries
    • Understanding the Collection
    • Research at the Memorial
    • Donating to the Collection
    • National Collection Loans
    • Projects
  • People
  • Visit
  • Commemorate Open Information Close Information
    • Last Post Ceremony
    • Honour Rolls
    • Anzac Day
    • Remembrance Day
    • Customs & Ceremony
    • Speeches
  • Learn Open Information Close Information
    • Schools & Teachers
    • Memorial Articles
    • Encyclopedia
    • Understanding Military Structure
    • Podcasts
    • Glossary
    • Wartime Magazine
  • Get Involved Open Information Close Information
    • Donations & Bequests
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Volunteer at the Memorial
    • Friends of the Memorial
    • eMemorial Newsletter
    • Grants, Scholarships & Residencies
    • Research Papers
  • Shop Open Information Close Information
    • Help and Information
    • Lone Pine Seedlings
    • Images, film and sound

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Visit
  3. Exhibitions
  4. This company of brave men: the Gallipoli VCs

Main navigation

  • Other Exhibitions
  • Current Exhibitions
  • Past Exhibitions
  • Touring Exhibitions
  • Online Exhibitions

This company of brave men: the Gallipoli VCs

A special 95th Gallipoli anniversary touring exhibition

  • The Victoria Cross
  • The Gallipoli VCs
  • Tour information
  • Further reading
The Victoria Cross in Australia

The Victoria Cross is a rare award, given when the nation is at war, facing peril or a great test of national commitment. It recognises individuals who, by their extraordinary deeds of bravery, and sometimes at the sacrifice of their own lives, provide leadership and example to all around them and beyond. The entire nation draws pride and inspiration from these brave men.

The Victoria Cross in Australia

The Victoria Cross is the highest form of recognition that can be bestowed on a soldier for remarkable and unselfish courage in the service of others. There is no greater single honour, award, or accolade.

All ranks of the services are eligible for the Victoria Cross. It is democratic in its nature and its distribution reflects great integrity. It upholds the human virtues of courage, devotion, sacrifice, and compassion.

The award has its origins in the mid-nineteenth century, when Queen Victoria was convinced that a special tribute was needed to recognise acts of outstanding courage. In 1856 the cross bearing her name was instituted.

Despite its elevated status, the Victoria Cross is not made from gold or other precious metal but cast from the bronze of old captured cannons. It is suspended from a plain maroon ribbon (those to the navy originally used blue, but this changed at the end of the First World War). Since the Boer War a number of awards have been made posthumously.

In 1991 Australia extended its own system of honours and awards. Wishing to maintain the tradition and esteem of the Victoria Cross, however, it made only minimal changes to the highest award by instituting the Victoria Cross for Australia.

Ninety-nine Australians have received the Victoria Cross.

Number of VC winners by conflict
Conflict VCs
Boer War 6
First World War 64
North Russia 2 [1]
Second World War 20
Vietnam 4
Afghanistan 3[2]
  1. ^ Often counted in First World War figures

     

  2. ^ Victoria Cross for Australia as of 1 November 2012

Last updated: 18 February 2020

Explore the Collection

Explore the Collection

Our collection contains a wealth of material to help you research and find your connection with the wartime experiences of the brave men and women who served in Australia’s military forces.

Find out more
The Donations and bequests

Donations & Bequests

Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

Find out more
The placesofpride

Places of Pride

Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia.

Find out more
Visit the Australian War Memorial

Visit the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is open for visitors as we work to expand our galleries. All visitors require a free timed ticket to enter the Memorial Galleries and attend the Last Post Ceremony.

Find out more
Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
Location map of The Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial building

The Australian War Memorial

Treloar Crescent
Campbell ACT 2612
Australia
View on Google Maps (opens in new window)
Google Map data ©2023 Google
Australian War Memorial Logo
  • Go to AWM Facebook
  • Go to AWM Twitter
  • Go to AWM Trip Advisor
  • Go to AWM Instagram
  • Go to AWM Youtube

Footer

  • Memorial Articles
  • About
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Wartime Magazine
  • Donate Today

The Australian War Memorial

Treloar Crescent

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

Opening Hours

10 am to 5 pm daily (except Christmas Day)

 

In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony,

galleries are progressively closed from 4 pm.

 

Public entrance via Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612

Book your ticket to visit: awm.gov.au/visit

 


Please enter a valid email address

Legal

  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Freedom of information

Copyright 2023 Australian War Memorial, Canberra. All rights reserved