This company of brave men: the Gallipoli VCs
A special 95th Gallipoli anniversary touring exhibition
March 2010 to December 2010
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.
| Conflict | VCs |
|---|---|
| Boer War | 6 |
| First World War | 64 |
| North Russia | 2 [1] |
| Second World War | 20 |
| Vietnam | 4 |
| Afghanistan | 3[2] |
- ^ Often counted in First World War figures
- ^ Victoria Cross for Australia as of 1 November 2012
Tour dates
| Gallery | City | State | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Western Australian Museum |
Perth | WA | 20 March 2010 | 2 May 2010 |
|
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory |
Darwin | NT | 8 May 2010 | 20 June 2010 |
|
State Library of South Australia |
Adelaide |
SA | 25 June 2010 | 8 August 2010 |
|
Shrine of Remembrance |
Melbourne |
VIC | 13 August 2010 | 26 September 2010 |
|
Queensland Museum South Bank |
Brisbane |
QLD | 1 October 2010 | 14 November 2010 |
|
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery |
Hobart |
TAS | 19 November 2010 | 17 December 2010 |
A special 95th Gallipoli anniversary touring exhibition, This company of brave men: the Gallipoli VCs, presented by the Australian War Memorial, is made possible through the generous support of Mr Kerry Stokes AC and Seven Network Limited.
This tour is only possible because the Memorial is redeveloping its Hall of Valour. The medals will be returned to Canberra in December for installation into the redeveloped Hall of Valour.