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The Victoria Cross, established in 1856 during the Crimean War, has remained to this day the highest British reward `for valour' and is perhaps the most prestigious gallantry medal in the world. Though the VC confers no special title and the medal itself is plain and simple in design, it is nevertheless the hardest-won and most coveted of gallantry awards.

The VC has been earned in every theatre of war where British and Commonwealth soldiers have served over the past one hundred and fifty years and has been won by men aged from sixteen to sixty-one, soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians. Yet it has been a remarkably `democratic' award from the outset, available to officers and other ranks alike in all the fighting services.

Since its inception in 1856, well over thirteen hundred VCs have been awarded, reflecting the gallantry of British and Commonwealth forces in action around the world from the Crimea to Iraq. From the days of imperial expansion, with their numerous colonial campaigns, through two World Wars and beyond, into the `retreat from Empire' and modern-day military operations, the VC has remained the most famous and most hard-earned of decorations. To read the award citations is to be brought face to face with examples of selfless courage and devotion to duty and to encounter deeds that are always remarkable and sometimes astounding.

About the author: Peter Duckers has been a collector of British campaign and gallantry medals for thirty-five years and now specialises in awards to the Indian Army. He has written numerous magazine and journal articles about medals and is a Fellow of the Royal Numismatic Society, a member of the Orders and Medals Research Society and the Military Historical Society He is Curator of the Shropshire Regimental Museum in Shrewsbury Castle.

`For such a small book, this is packed with a huge amount of information which is lavishly illustrated and terrific value.' The Victoria Cross Society