Queen Victoria institutes the Victoria Cross (1856–1857)

Queen Victoria instituted the Victoria Cross in January 1856 to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War. The warrant was signed on 29 January 1856 and gazetted on 5 February 1856. This decoration addressed concerns about poor management of British troops during the conflict, which had led to political instability in 1855.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Crimean War, fought from October 1853 to February 1856, involved an alliance including the United Kingdom. Poor management of British troops during this conflict led to the fall of Lord Aberdeen's government in early 1855 amidst recriminations. In this same period of political turmoil, Queen Victoria moved to honour acts of valour performed during the war by instituting a new decoration.

Institution. Queen Victoria introduced the Victoria Cross on 29 January 1856 to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War. A warrant under the royal sign-manual was issued on this date, officially constituting the VC. The warrant was gazetted on 5 February 1856, marking the formal establishment of the decoration.

First Ceremony. The first ceremony for the Victoria Cross was held on 26 June 1857 in Hyde Park, London. Queen Victoria personally invested 62 of the 111 Crimean recipients. Since these first awards, two thirds of all VC awards have been personally presented by the British monarch.

People involved

Sources

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