Victoria Cross Memorial
Queen Victoria Building, Sydney, Australia

Victoria Cross Memorial commemorating recipients from the ranks of the Australian armed services. This is located within the Queen Victoria Building, itself a grand 19th century sandstone landmark. Two brass plaques are mounted on either side commemorating the VC and the dedication of this memorial. Behind the glass front are listed the names of all 96 Australians who have been awarded the VC. At lower centre is a replica of the Victoria Cross and a model of the cannons captured at Sevastopol during the Crimean War and from which the VC are reportedly cast, although it has since been suggested some of the early VCs may have been cast from Chinese cannons.

The traditional VC has since been superseded in Australia by the "Victoria Cross for Australia", identical in appearance to the Imperial VC, and created in January 1991. There has been only 1 recipient, Trooper Mark Donaldson for actions of gallantry under fire in Afghanistan during 2008.

 

Replica of the Victoria Cross.

 

Close-up of the left hand plaque.

 

Close-up of the right hand plaque.

 

Close-up of the model cannon.

(All photos courtesy of Peter F. Williams)
© 2009 Peter F. Williams all rights reserved

 

MaritimeQuest received the following message on March 18, 2009

On the plaque it says that the VCs are made from metal drawn from guns captured from the russians at Sevastopol. Whilst there have suggestions that the first couple of VCs were made from such bronze the evidence (from my eyes and the Royal Artillery Museum at Woolwich) indicates that VCs are/have been made from 2 Chinese guns which were captured during the second Anglo-Chinese war of 1860. These guns are on display together with examples of VCs awarded in a special protected gallery at RA Woolwich.

It can be seen where metal  has been removed to provide the London jewelers Hancock's with the wherewithal to make the medals. Of recent times sufficient metal was provided to make some "spares" and these are held by the jewelers without dates and names. Hancock's has made all the VCs since 1914. The most recent award was to Cpl. Beharry for outstanding acts of heroism in saving his comrades despite being critically wounded himself in an engagement with iraqi insurgents last year.

-Robert Edmonds



Page published Mar. 16, 2009