AFVOA Newletters of Year 2004

Page 139 of 153 distinction of being awarded both the VC and the PVSM. 81. He Commanded the Indian military Academy, Dehra Dun. During the 1960s. One of his cadets during that time mentions that “Victoria cross retains a mystique that no other decoration has ever achieved. The merest glimpse of that distinctive crimson ribbon on the breast of a veteran is sufficient to establish him as a military monarch in the minds of his officers and nothing short of a god in the eyes of cadets. 82. Victoria Cross was founded in 1856 by Queen Victoria. It is awarded for “ most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour, self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy ”. Queen Victoria personally chose the design for the new decoration. It is in the form of a Maltese Cross with the Royal crest and a scroll inscribed simply, “For Valour”. The medal itself was and still is made of bronze melted down from the Russian cannons captured at Sevastapol in the Crimean war. 83. Although instituted more than a century ago, it has been awarded to only 1350 men, three of whom won it twice. One was also awarded to the American Unknown Warrior, who lies buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, as a symbol for all those who died in the Allied cause. 84. There is no barrier of colour, creed, sex, or rank in the award of the Victoria cross. However, it has never been won by a woman so far. It has been estimated that the chance of surviving a Victoria cross act is 1 in 10. the largest number of Victoria Crosses won in a single day was 24 at the second relief of Lucknow in 1857 during the Indian Mutiny. The largest number of Victoria Crosses won in a single action was 11 at Rorke’s drift in 1879 in the Zulu War. 85. The youngest recipient was 15 years old, and the oldest, 69 years. Three cases exist where father and son have won the Victoria Cross. Four pairs of brothers, too have been recipients. There is also a case of a father-in-law, son-in-law combination. Many monarchs felt that a VC should never be forfeited and that even when a VC is sentenced to be hanged for murder he should be allowed to wear his VC on the gallows! As many as 40 Indian soldiers have won the Victoria Cross. Less than 10 Indians VCs are alive today. Only two Indian officers have got this coveted award. One was Second Lieutenant P.S. Bhagat. The other was Lieutenant K.S. Judge who won it posthumously in Burma in 1945. You know how we worshipped our commandant. 86. Each Victoria Cross is made by the same London jewelers – Messers Hancocks. The Victoria Cross metal is now located at the Imperial War Museum in London. Only about 358 ounces are remaining. The last issue was in 1959, when 50 ounces to make 12 medals were issued. The remaining 358 ounces are good enough for another eighty five! 87. In April 2004, the Victoria Cross awarded to Sergeant Norman Jackson was sold at auction for 235,250 pounds sterling. After all, the extra pension for a Victoria Cross holder is only a paltry 1,300 pounds sterling per annum!” (Courtesy: ‘The Nonsense File’ by The Colonel; The week September 5, 2004) 88. An incident which occurred during his tenure as Army Commander – which indicates his approachability and concern for his subordinates is worth recounting. During 1969/70, he was on a routine visit to Mhow, where a large number of officers are on training courses for long durations, and thus are provided family accommodation. At that point in time, family