THE Victoria Cross medal can only be awarded 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."
It has been awarded only 1,354 times since the Crimean War, the majority of medals going to British and Commonwealth troops.
Symbol of Courage by Max Arthur vividly brings the story of the medal to life. After telling of Queen Victoria's concern for her troops, and how she devised the Victoria Cross, there is a narrative history of every conflict in which the VC has been awarded -- from the Crimean War to the Falklands.
It also gives a complete listing of every VC holder with details of the action in which they won the medal. It's a fascinating and comprehensive study that will appeal to everyone who is interested in the nature of courage.
Symbol of Courage by Max Arthur (Sidgwick & Jackson, £25)
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