List of Victoria Cross recipients by nationality explained

This is a list of recipients of the Victoria Cross by nationality. It does not include the Victoria Cross awarded to the American Unknown Soldier of World War I buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. He was awarded the VC posthumously in 1921. This gesture reciprocated the award of the Medal of Honor to the British Unknown Warrior.

The Victoria Cross (VC) is a military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the British armed forces. A small number of Commonwealth countries still participate in the British (Imperial) honours system and would still be eligible to make Victoria Cross recommendations for their service personnel but none of these countries have ever been awarded the Victoria Cross. The last occasion a Commonwealth country was awarded the Victoria Cross was in 1969 during the Vietnam War and today all Commonwealth countries whose armed forces had been awarded the Victoria Cross under the British honours systems have their own honours systems and their own orders, decorations and medals. The Victoria Cross takes precedence over all other British orders, decorations and medals and may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and although civilians under military command are eligible for the award none has been awarded since 1879. The Victoria Cross has often been presented to the recipient during an investiture by the British monarch. The last award of the reign of King George VI and all awards of the reign of the present Queen with the exception of the two posthumous awards to the Australian Army during the Vietnam War have been presented by Queen Elizabeth II. The VC has been awarded on 1358 occasions to 1355 individual recipients.

The original Royal Warrant and all warrants to this day contain both expulsion and restoration clauses. Eight recipients between 1861 and 1908 had their awards rescinded and although no award has ever been restored the names of the eight are included in the list. The original warrant did not contain a specific clause regarding posthumous awards, although official policy was to not award the VC posthumously. Between 1857 and 1901, twelve notices were issued in the London Gazette regarding soldiers who would have been awarded the VC had they survived. In a partial reversal of policy for the South African War 1899–1902, the next of kin of three of the soldiers were sent medals by registered post in 1902. In the same gazette the first three posthumous awards were awarded and also sent to the next of kin. In 1907, the posthumous policy was reversed and medals were sent to the next of kin of the six officers and men. The Victoria Cross warrant was not officially amended to explicitly allow posthumous awards until 1920 but one quarter of all awards for the First World War were posthumous.[1]

For a short time in the middle 1800s, the VC was awarded for actions taken not in the face of the enemy. Six were awarded at this time for actions taken not in the face of the enemy. (Campbell Mellis Douglas was one of these recipients.)

Until 1921 the Victoria Cross could not be awarded to women, and to this day no VC has been awarded to members of that gender. With the approval of Queen Victoria, Elizabeth Webber Harris was awarded a gold VC for her valour in nursing cholera-ridden soldiers in India in 1869.[2]

Most Commonwealth countries have now created their own honours systems. Since 1991, three Commonwealth countries; Australia, Canada and New Zealand have created their own operational gallantry awards. In each case, their highest award for most conspicuous bravery was named in honour of the British (Imperial) Victoria Cross; the Victoria Cross for Australia, the Victoria Cross (Canada) and the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. One Victoria Cross for New Zealand was awarded to Willie Apiata on 26 July 2007; four Victoria Crosses for Australia have been awarded to Mark Donaldson, Ben Roberts-Smith, Daniel Keighran and Cameron Baird. All five awards were for actions in Afghanistan. As these are separate medals, they are not included in this list.

Recipients are described in the following list by nationality (birthplace) or (citizenship) or (country of service) or (uncertain) or in the case of New Zealand born Captain Alfred John Shout of the Australian Army by both (birthplace) and (country of service). The country lists are compiled differently with the Australian list only being members of the Australian forces, the Canadian list being members of the Canadian forces including Danish Thomas Dinesen who served in Canadian Army plus others who are considered by Canadians as Canadian recipients, while the English list only includes a few of the many English born recipients who were decorated as members of Commonwealth and Indian forces. There have been 1355 individual recipients including the American unknown who is not listed but the list has 1356 names including Alfred John Shout and another listed twice.

Recipients by nationality

NameNationalityDate of actionConflictUnitPlace of actionNotes
American1918First World War75th Bn Canadian Expeditionary ForceDrocourt-Quéant Support Line, France[3]
American1918First World WarCanadian Expeditionary ForceArras, France
American1917First World WarCanadian Expeditionary ForcePasschendaele, Belgium
American1864Bombardment of ShimonosekiShimonoseki, Japan
American1918First World WarCanadian Expeditionary ForceWarvillers, France[4]
AAAAustraliaList of 91 Australian recipientsAAAAAAAA01AAA
Belgian1916First World WarBB0044th Dragoon GuardsLa Boiselle, France
British Virgin Islander1866Gambia CampaignBB0044th West India RegimentTubabecelong, Gambia
AABCanadaList of 96 Canadian recipientsAABAABAA02AAB
Channel Islander1857Indian MutinyBengal Sappers and MinersDelhi, India
Jersey, Channel Islands1855Crimean WarVyborg, Russia
Guernsey, Channel Islands1942Second World WarHampshire RegimentTebourba, Tunisia
Jersey, Channel Islands1889British rule in BurmaRoyal Army Medical CorpsVoklaak, Burma
Channel Islander1881Basuto Gun WarBB0011st Cape Mounted YeomanryTweefontein, South Africa
Channel Islander1899Second Boer WarRoyal Field ArtilleryColenso, South Africa
Channel Islander1859Second Anglo-Afghan WarBB05959th Regiment of FootShahjui, Afghanistan
Channel Islander1874First Ashanti ExpeditionBB0066th Bengal CavalryObugu, Ashanti
Danish1918First World WarBB04242nd Bn CEF Canadian Expeditionary ForceParvillers, France
Danish1915First World WarBB0066th Lincolnshire RegimentGallipoli, Turkey-Jensen is listed as an Australian recipient. Though Danish born, he moved to Australia at an early ageDanish1917First World WarBB006First Australian Imperial ForceNoreuil, France-->
Danish1945*Second World WarSpecial Boat ServiceComacchio, Italy
AACEnglandList of 600+ English recipients
(may be incomplete)
AACAACAA03AAC
Fijian1944*Second World WarFiji Infantry RegimentMawaraka, Bougainville Island
German1854Crimean WarBB01717th LancersBalaklava, Crimea
Grenadian2004Iraq WarAmarah, Iraq
Hanoverian1854Crimean WarÅland, Finland[5]
Indian1941Second World WarRoyal Bombay Sappers and MinersGallabat, Abyssinia
Indian1944*Second World War5th Mahratta Light InfantryUpper Tiber Valley, Italy
Indian1944*Second World WarBB0099th Jat RegimentImphal, India
Indian1945Second World WarBB0055th Mahratta Light InfantrySenio River, Italy
Indian1945*Second World WarBB41515th Punjab RegimentMeiktila, Burma
LalaIndian1916First World WarBB04141st DograsEl Orah, Mesopotamia
Indian1914First World WarBB03939th Garhwal RiflesFestubert, France
Indian1915*First World WarBB03939th Garhwal RiflesNeuve Chapelle, France
Indian1944Second World WarBB01010th Baluch RegimentArakan State, Burma
Indian1943*Second World WarBB0066th Rajputana RiflesDjebel Garci, Tunisia
Indian1944Second World WarBB0088th Punjab RegimentRiver Gari, Italy
Indian1941*Second World WarBB0066th Rajputana RiflesKeren, Eritrea
Indian1918*First World WarBB01414th Murray's Jat LancersRiver Jordan, Palestine
Indian1916First World WarBB0099th Bhopal InfantryBattle of the Wadi, Mesopotamia
Indian1945Second World WarBB01515th Punjab RegimentMyingyan, Burma
Indian1917First World WarBB02828th Light CavalryPezières, France[6]
Indian1921Waziristan CampaignBB02828th PunjabisHaidari Kach, India
Indian1944Second World WarBB11111th Sikh RegimentMaungdaw - Buthidaung Road, Burma
Indian1943Second World WarBB0088th Punjab RegimentDonbaik, Burma
Indian1945*Second World WarBB01313th Frontier Force RiflesKanlan Ywathit, Burma
Indian1944*Second World WarBB0011st Punjab RegimentKennedy Peak, Burma
Indian1915First World WarBB05555th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force)Wieltje, Belgium
Indian1945Second World WarBB01010th Baluch RegimentMeiktila, Burma
Indian1944Second World WarBB0077th Gurkha RiflesNingthoukhong, Burma
Pakistani1945Second World WarBB01313th Frontier Force RiflesFusignano, Italy
Pakistani1914First World WarBB129129th Duke of Connaught's Own BaluchisHollebeke, Belgium
Pakistani1916First World WarBB08989th PunjabisBeit Ayeesa, Mesopotamia
Pakistani1945*Second World WarBB01616th Punjab RegimentKyeyebyin, Burma
Indian1944Second World WarRoyal Indian ArtilleryKaladan Valley, Burma
AADIrelandList of 195 Irish recipientsAADAADAA04AAD
Jamaican1892Second Gambian CampaignWest India RegimentToniataba, Gambia
Kenyan1941*Second World WarBB012King's African RiflesColito, Abyssinia
Manx1944Second World WarBB0022nd Battalion, South Staffordshire RegimentArnhem, Netherlands[7]
Nepalese1943Second World WarBB0055th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)Chin Hills, Burma
Nepalese1945Second World WarBB0022nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha RiflesTamandu, Burma
Nepalese1945Second World WarBB0088th Gurkha RiflesTaungdaw, Burma
Nepalese1944*Second World WarBB0055th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)Monte San Bartolo, Italy
Nepalese1965Indonesia–Malaysia confrontationBB01010th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha RiflesSarawak, Borneo
Nepalese1944Second World WarBB0066th Gurkha RiflesMogaung, Burma
Nepalese1944Second World WarBB0055th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)Bishenpur, India
Nepalese1918First World WarBB0033rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha RiflesEl Kefr, Egypt
Nepalese1915First World WarBB0033rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha RiflesFauquissart, France
Nepalese1943Second World WarBB0032nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha RiflesRass-es-Zouai, Tunisia
Nepalese1944*Second World WarBB0055th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)Bishenpur, India
Nepalese1944*Second World WarBB0099th Gurkha RiflesSan Marino, Italy
New Zealander1917First World WarWellington Infantry RegimentLa Basse Ville, Belgium
New Zealander1915First World WarNew Zealand Divisional Signal CompanyGallipoli, Turkey
New Zealander1916First World WarOtago Infantry RegimentHigh Wood, France[8]
New Zealander1918First World WarBB500Auckland Infantry RegimentCrèvecœur, France
New Zealander1879Anglo-Zulu WarFrontier Light HorseUlundi, South Africa
New Zealander1942Second World WarBB02222nd, 2nd New Zealand DivisionRuweisat, Egypt
New Zealander1918*First World WarRoyal New Zealand EngineersGrévillers, France
New Zealander1916First World WarBB06363rd (Royal Naval) DivisionBeaucourt sur Ancre, France
New Zealander1917First World WarNew Zealand Rifle BrigadeMessines, Belgium
New Zealander1918First World WarWellington Infantry RegimentBancourt, France
New Zealander1901Second Boer WarBB0044th New Zealand ContingentNaauwpoort, South Africa
New Zealander1864New Zealand WarsBB501Auckland MilitiaMangapiko River, New Zealand
New Zealander1941Second World WarBB02020th, 2nd New Zealand DivisionKalamai, Greece
New Zealander1941Second World WarBB02323rd, 2nd New Zealand DivisionCrete, Greece
New Zealander1918First World WarBB500Auckland Infantry RegimentBapaume, France
New Zealander1918First World WarNew Zealand Rifle BrigadeGouzeaucourt Wood, France
New Zealander1943*Second World WarBB02828th, 2nd New Zealand DivisionTebaga Gap, Tunisia
New Zealander1917First World WarCanterbury Infantry RegimentPolderhoek, Belgium
New Zealander1917*First World WarAtlantic
New Zealander1915*First World WarFirst Australian Imperial ForceGallipoli
New Zealander1918*First World WarOtago Infantry RegimentRossignol Wood, France
New Zealander1943Second World WarNo. 487 Squadron RNZAFAmsterdam, Netherlands
New Zealander2004Afghanistan WarNew Zealand Special Air ServiceAfghanistan, Afghanistan
New Zealander1943*Second World WarAtlantic
New Zealander1941
1942
Second World WarBB02020th, 2nd New Zealand DivisionCrete, Greece, (1941),
Ruweisat Ridge, Egypt (1942)
[9]
New Zealander1941*Second World WarMunster, Germany
Newfoundlander1918*First World WarBB01313th Battalion, CEFAmiens, France[10]
Newfoundlander1918First World WarRoyal Newfoundland RegimentLedeghem, Belgium
Rhodesian1896*Matabeleland RebellionBulawayo Field ForceUmguza, Rhodesia
South African1917First World WarBritish South Africa PoliceJohannesburg, German East Africa.[11] Attached to Rhodesian Native Regiment
Rhodesian1897Matabeleland RebellionBulawayo Field ForceBulawayo, Rhodesia
AAEScotlandList of 164 Scottish recipientsAAEAAEAA05AAE
South African1900*Second Boer WarImperial Light HorseLadysmith, South Africa
South African1918First World WarNo. 84 Squadron RFCWestern Front, France
South African1901Second Boer WarRimington's GuidesStrijdenburg, South Africa
South African1857Indian MutinyBB07878th Regiment of FootBoursekee Chowkee, India
South African1879Zulu WarFrontier Light HorseUlundi, South Africa-->
South African1916First World WarBB0011st South African InfantryDelville Wood, France
South African1940*Second World WarRoyal Norfolk RegimentTournai, Belgium
South African1879Zulu WarCape Mounted RiflemenMorosi's Mountain, South Africa
South African1918First World WarWiltshire RegimentFremicourt, France
South African1917First World WarBB0022nd South African Light InfantryYpres, Belgium
South African1899Second Boer WarProtectorate RegimentMafeking, South Africa
South African1881First Boer WarBB0011st Cape Mounted YeomanryTweefontein, South Africa
South African1899Second Boer WarImperial Light HorseElandslaagte, South Africa
South African1896Mashona RebellionMashonaland Mounted PoliceSalisbury, Rhodesia
South African1942Second World WarNo. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron RAFAugsburg, Germany
South African1944Second World WarKaffrarian RiflesMonte Gidolfo, Italy
South African1917First World WarKing's (Liverpool) RegimentDialah River, Mesopotamia
South African1917First World WarQueen's Royal RegimentZonnebeke, Belgium
South African1917First World WarNorfolk RegimentMarcoing, France[12]
South African1942Second World WarNatal CarbineersAlem Hamza, Egypt
South African1945Second World WarSouth African Air ForcePforzheim, Germany
Sri Lankan (Ceylonese)1918*First World WarEast Lancashire RegimentAblainzevelle, France
Swedish1879Basuto Gun WarCape Mounted RiflemenMorosi's Mountain, South Africa
Swiss1879Anglo-Zulu WarNatal Native ContingentRorke's Drift, South Africa
Ukrainian1917First World WarBB047Lens, France
AAEScotlandList of 58 uncertain nationality recipientsAAEAAEAA05AAE
Welsh1915First World WarRoyal Welch FusiliersFestubert, France
Welsh1942Second World WarSaint-Nazaire, France
Welsh1917First World WarWelsh GuardsYser Canal, Belgium
Welsh1945Second World WarMonmouthshire RegimentDortmund-Ems Canal, Germany
Welsh1917*First World WarRoyal Welch FusiliersPolygon Wood, Belgium
Welsh1917First World WarBlack Watch (Royal Highlanders)Zonnebeke, Belgium
Welsh1917*First World WarRoyal Army Medical CorpsTel-el-Khuweilfeh, Palestine
Welsh1914First World WarWelch RegimentChivy-sur-Aisne, France
Welsh1879Zulu WarBB02424th Regiment of FootRorke's Drift, South Africa
Welsh1916First World WarWelch RegimentMacukovo, Greece
Welsh1943*Second World WarAt sea
Welsh1858Indian MutinyBB0022nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays)Jamo, India
Welsh1917First World WarSouth Wales BorderersPilkem, Belgium
Welsh1916First World WarRoyal Flying CorpsDouble Crassieurs, France
Welsh1854Crimean WarBB04141st (Welsh) Regiment of FootBattle of Inkerman, Crimea
Welsh1855Crimean WarBB02323rd RegimentSebastopol, Crimea
Welsh1857Indian MutinyBengal ArtilleryLucknow, India
Welsh1917*First World WarBB499"A" Battalion, Tank CorpsCambrai/Marcoing, France
Welsh1940*Second World WarBritish 2nd Destroyer FlotillaNarvik, Norway[13]
Welsh1918*First World WarRoyal Welch FusiliersRonssoy, France
Welsh1944Second World WarWelch RegimentBarfour, France
Welsh1918First World WarRoyal Welch FusiliersBazentin-le-Grand, France
Welsh1918First World WarSouth Wales BorderersVillers Outreaux, France
Welsh1879Zulu WarBB02424th Regiment of FootRorke's Drift, South Africa
Welsh1917First World WarAtlantic, near France[14]

References

Notes and References

  1. Crook, MJ, Chapter 8 pp.68 - 90
  2. "Museum Honours only Woman to have "Won VC""
  3. Also considered Canadian recipient.
    Web site: American Victoria Cross recipients . Ricketts . Bruce . Mysteries of Canada . 2008-01-26.
  4. Zengel was American born, considered Canadian.
    Web site: On The Offensive In 1918 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070311014925/http://www.legionmagazine.com/features/victoriacross/05-09.asp?id=print . 2007-03-11 . Legionmagazine . Bishop . Arthur . September 2005 . 2008-01-26.
  5. Web site: Biography: John Bythesea VC . Royal Naval Museum . 2007-11-16 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927230754/http://www.royalnavalmuseum.org/Info_sheets_John_Bythesea.htm . 27 September 2007 .
  6. 11 January 1918. SIXTH SUPPLEMENT TO The London Gazette Of TUESDAY, the 8th of JANUARY, 1918. The London Gazette. 30471. 725.
  7. Web site: Second report of the Tynwald Honours Committee 2004/2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110607072730/http://www.tynwald.org.im/papers/reports/2004-2005/r0018.pdf . 7 June 2011 . June 2005 . 2009-11-03 . dead .
  8. Brown died in action three weeks after the action that led to his award.
    Encyclopedia: Awards to New Zealand Servicemen . An Encyclopedia of New Zealand, 1966 . Lintock. A.H. . newzealand.govt.nz . 2008-01-15.
  9. [Charles Upham]
  10. Newfoundlander recipients of the Victoria Cross are sometimes erroneously included with Canadian awards, as Newfoundland became part of Canada in 1949.
    News: Memorial to fallen Newfoundland soldiers declared National Historic Site . 1997-04-09 . Government of Newfoundland and Labrador . 2008-01-26.
  11. Born in London
  12. Commanding officer of 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at time
  13. and Captain of
  14. Web site: A 'mystery' Victoria Cross and a stuffed parrot . 2004-02-03 . National Museums & Galleries of Wales . Besly . Edward . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070527201118/http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/walespast/article.shtml?id=26 . 27 May 2007 .