The Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. From Privates to non-commissioned officers to Generals, no other award is harder to win, and no other is held is such high esteem as the Victoria Cross. Since its establishment by Queen Victoria in 1857, the Victoria Cross has been awarded to more than 1300 men, of whom a disproportionate number - 158 - are Scottish. For historians of the Scottish war experience, the large Scottish presence on the Victoria Cross honour roll is not surprising - especially when one considers that Scots have been the backbone of the British Army for the past three hundred years. From the Crimean War, to the Indian Mutinies, World War One, World War Two, and the Korean War, Scottish soldiers have distinguished themselves for their heroism. Many died while earning their Victoria Cross, others lived to tell the tale, but all of their sacrifices will never be forgotten so long as there is a day set aside to remember them. Here are some of their stories:
	Crimean War 1854-1856 Private Thomas Beach: On 5 November 1854 at the Battle of Inkerman, Crimea, when on picquet duty, Private Beach attacked several Russians who were robbing a colonel who was lying wounded. He killed two of the Russians and protected the colonel until help arrived. Colour-Sargeant James Craig On 6 September 1855 at Sebastopol, Crimea, Colour-Sergeant Craig volunteered and personally collected other volunteers, to go out under heavy fire to look for a captain of his regiment who was supposed to be wounded. Sergeant Craig brought in the body of that officer whom he found dead, and while doing so was himself wounded.
	The Indian Mutinies 1857-59 Lieutenant Robert Blair On 28 September 1857 at Bolandshahr, India, Lieutenant Blair was ordered to take a party of one sergeant and 12 men and bring in a deserted ammunition wagon. As they approached, 50 or 60 of the enemy on horseback attacked them, but without hesitation Lieutenant Blair formed up his men and gallantly led them through the rebels. He made good his retreat without losing a man, but leaving nine of the enemy dead on the field. He himself was severely wounded in this action.
	World War One 1914-1918 Corporal William Anderson On 12 March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, France, Corporal Anderson led three men with bombs against a large party of the enemy who had entered our trenches, and by his prompt and determined action saved what might have otherwise become a serious situation. Corporal Anderson first threw his own bombs, then those in the possession of the other men (all of whom had been wounded) amongst the Germans, after which he opened rapid fire upon them with great effect notwithstanding that he was at the time quite alone. Sargeant Alexander Edwards On 31 July 1917 north of Ypres, Belgium, Sergeant Edwards located a machine-gun in a wood, led some men against it, captured the gun and killed all the team. Later, when a sniper was causing casualties, he stalked him and although badly wounded in the arm, went on and killed him. There being only one officer now left with the company, Sergeant Edwards, regardless of his wound, led his men on until the objective was captured. He continued to show great daring, particularly in personal reconnaissance and although again wounded twice the next day he still maintained a complete disregard for personal safety.
	World War Two 1939-1945 Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell On 6 April 1941 over Brest Harbour, France, Flying Officer Campbell attacked the German battle-cruiser Gneisenau. He ran the gauntlet of concentrated anti-aircraft fire and launched a torpedo at point-blank range. The ship was severely damaged below the waterline and was obliged to return to the dock whence she had come only the day before. Flying Officer Campbell's aircraft then met a withering wall of flak and crashed into the harbour. Private Richard Henry Burton On 8 October 1944 at Monte Ceco, Italy, when an assault was held up, Private Burton rushed forward from his platoon and engaged a Spandau position with his tommy gun, killing three of the crew. Later, again showing complete disregard for his own safety he disposed of the crews of two machine-guns and thanks to his outstanding courage the company was able to consolidate the position. Afterwards, in spite of the fact that most of his comrades were either dead or wounded, he repelled two counter-attacks, directing such accurate fire that the enemy retired. Flying Officer John Alexander Cruickshank On 17/18 July 1944 Flying Officer Cruickshank, on anti-submarine patrol in the North Atlantic, was attacking a U-boat in a hail of flak shells when one burst inside the aircraft, causing a great deal of damage. One member of the crew was killed and two wounded, and although he too had been hit - it was later found that he had 12 wounds - Flying Officer Cruickshank went in again, releasing his depth charges, which straddled the U-boat perfectly, and it sank. On the hazardous 5 1/2-hour return journey the flying officer several times lost consciousness, but insisted on helping to land the Catalina. Source: Deed summary from Register of the Victoria Cross MMJ, November 11, 1999 Links: Victoria Cross Reference History of the Victoria Cross The Australian and New Zealand Victoria Cross World War Two Webring Register of the Victoria Cross Scotland's FORgotten Valour Monuments to Courage

Thursday, December 26th, 2019

Attention visitors: Tartans.com is back. Please note that this is a snapshot of the site as it existed nearly 20 years ago and you may encounter broken links; we are still combing through the site and correcting those as we find them. Please also note that some sections are currently not functional, primarily the discussion forums/clan chat boards.