So you want to earn a VC do you?

[Kirkhill]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004301683,00.html

Follow this link for instructions.

 

[from darkness lite]

A true act of Valour in the face of the enemy.  I'd write him up for the VC if he was one of mine!!!!

 

[bossi]

Good for him!  I hope he pulls through.

 

[Troopasaurus]

Very impressive, hope he gets it.

 

[ags281]

to him. I'd put his name in for sure. I'll be looking to see what results when April comes around.

I like the 2Lt's description of him:
"Beharry is the most dependable private I've ever had. He is loyal, hard-working and has a genuinely appalling sense of humour..."
Very British   ;D

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Where do they get the "90% chance of being killed" stuff?  Sounds like bullshit to me.  The only standard is that the act has to be "in the face of the enemy", and witnesses are usually required.  Billy Bishop's VC was not supported by witnesses, however, so there are exceptions.  Another poster elsewhere pointed out that of the 11 last VCs awarded, 5 of them were to living recipients.

Also, the statement that the process of awarding them is "a mystery" is also nonsense.  If the process was a mystery, no one would ever get a medal.

Given that this has only been reported in the Sun, as well as some other "lesser" tabloid like papers in Britain, I'd have to say this probably isn't reliable reporting.

A fellow on another board I frequent pointed out that the deeds described could also be simple self preservation and may not be up to the standards expected of the VC.

 

[Drummie]

He sounds like a very brave soldier indeed. But isn't the VC only awarded to forces of Commonwealth countries?

 

[Kirkhill]

Yes.  Britain, Grenada and Canada are all members of the Commonwealth.

 

[Drummie]

Oh, my bad. I thought h was an American soldier...just glanced at the combats and thought American. oops :-[

 

[Scott]

Can't think of actions MORE deserving of the VC!! Let's all pray he recovers.

Question: Doesn't Canada have a surviving recipient of the VC? Thought he was a fella from BC.

Cheers!

 

[Drummie]

I think it's Smokey Smith? Don't quote me on that though....

 

[spenco]

Yeah your right.  And if I'm not mistaken he was (is?) a Seaforth.

 

[Scott]

I believe that he was a Seaforth and that he had a bit of a bad reputation.........I seem to recall a television interview with him from not that long ago where he was just as spry as he probably was when he won the VC. I remember him as being very straightforward

 

[Scott]

A little searching goes a long way, lads.

See http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=history/secondwar/citations/smith for the story on Pte. E. A. Smith of the Seaforth's

In my last post I suggested that he had a bad reputation and I wish to clarify this by saying that I remember the story of him saying that he could be rowdy at times. Oh but couldn't we all?

Cheers!

 

[atticus]

Where do they get the "90% chance of being killed" stuff?   Sounds like bullshit to me.   The only standard is that the act has to be "in the face of the enemy", and witnesses are usually required.

I'm trying to find the reference on the internet but I remember reading that eight or nine out of ten people who receive the VC get it  posthumously. Maybe thats where they get the 90% chance of being killed.

 

[wongskc]

Really? 9 out of 10 posthumous?  The statistic I heard was only 1 in 30 actually survive the deed for which they are awarded the VC.  This statistic, however is suspect since I got it off the net (don't remember where).  Can anyone confirm/refute this?  It's peaked my curiosity.

 

[Scott]

OK, some more quick research done. For MOST of your questions regarding the VC refer to www.victoriacross.net You can find a history of the VC as well as other facts and tidbits.

It is interesting to note that it is said on this site that in order to be considered for the VC one must perform their act in the face of the enemy and have it witnessed by at least three.

Also of note, it is said that ones chances of surviving the action which wins you the VC are one in ten.

Hopefully this puts to bed any rumours

Cheers!

 

[Spr.Earl]

Pte Beharry,good luck and a speedy recovery.

 

[Guardian]

Be interesting to see what happens...

Anyone know if the Yanks are considering any Medal of Honor citiations?

 

[Bill Smy]

It's interesting to note that on 9 November 1919 the Prince of Wales presided over a VC Dinner in the House of Lords. Attending were 321   VC winners, 28 of whom were Canadians. I believe this was the largest gathering of VCs in the history of the award.

Also of note, Canada will no longer award the British   VC. We have replaced with our own version which does not offend the language police. I suspect the first recipient will meet all the criteria of political correctness, rather than that of valour.