Forgotten Voices Of The Victoria Cross

Extraordinary first-hand accounts from Victoria Cross winners.The Victoria Cross is one of the world's most famous medals. It was introduced by Queen Victoria in 1856 for 'most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy', and has been awarded only 1,358 times. Exploring the actions and events that lead to the VC being awarded, Forgotten Voices of the Victoria Cross is full of heroic tales, drama and action from the last century.Some testimonies come from soldiers, sailors and airmen who were awarded the VC; others come from those who witnessed extraordinary acts for which the medal was won. Collected from the Imperial War Museum's Sound Archives, most of the first-hand accounts in this book are published for the very first time.Forgotten Voices of the Victoria Cross explores the very nature of bravery by those whose job it was to be brave. It is a landmark addition to the Forgotten Voices series.

'It wasn't until after he was safely back in the aircraft again that I heard that he'd actually been out on the wing to try to put the fire out ... Remember that we were flying at about 90 miles an hour at a height of 13,000 feet' Squadron Leader RP Widdowson on Sergeant James Ward, who earned his VC in 1941 The Victoria Cross, awarded to the most courageous and determined servicemen, is the highest military decoration that can be bestowed. In Forgotten Voices: Victoria Cross, first-hand accounts of soldiers, sailors and airmen describe the incredible events that earned these extraordinary men the VC in the last century. Captivating and often humbling, these stories depict exceptional acts of bravery in unimaginable situations, of men who would say they were just doing their duty. Introduction by General Sir Richard Dannatt.