Author: Brian Best Publisher: Frontline Books ISBN: 1473857074 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 282
Book Description
The Indian Mutiny struck at the very heart of the British Empire. If India was lost the whole edifice of British domination across its colonies was in jeopardy. Everything was at stake, Britains leading role in the word, its international commerce and the reputation of its armed forces. Across the globe Britain ruled only through the compliance of the subordinate nations but if India could throw off the imperialist yolk others might also rebel. The very fate of the Empire hung in the balance.The situation was considered to be so serious that the British authorities extended the warrant of the newly-created Victoria Cross to include anyone, even civil servants, who performed prodigious acts of valour to save India, and save the Empire.A total 182 VCs were awarded during the Mutiny, the same number as in the whole of the Second World War, climaxing in one day at Lucknow when twenty-four men displayed extraordinary valour to raise the siege the most VCs ever won in a single day.This is the story of those few months between May 1857 and June 1858 when the world turned its gaze upon the jewel in Victorias crown and 182 men soldier, sailor and civilian wrote their names into the history books.
Author: Jonathan Fennell Publisher: Cambridge University Press ISBN: 1107030951 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 967
Book Description
Jonathan Fennell captures for the first time the true wartime experience of the ordinary soldiers from across the empire who made up the British and Commonwealth armies. He analyses why the great battles were won and lost and how the men that fought went on to change the world.
Author: John Grehan Publisher: Frontline Books ISBN: 1473851726 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 214
Book Description
Officers led and men followed; all were expected to do their duty without thought of reward. Enlisted men rarely penetrated the officer ranks and promotion owed more to money than merit. Then came the Crimean War.The incompetence and ineffectiveness of the senior officers contrasted sharply with the bravery of the lower ranks. Fuelled by the reports from the first-ever war correspondents which were read by an increasingly literate public, the mumblings of discontent rapidly grew into a national outcry. Questions were asked in Parliament, answers were demanded by the press why were the heroes of the Alma, Inkerman and the Charge of the Light Brigade not being recognised? Something had be done.That something was the introduction of an award that would be of such prestige it would be sought by all men from the private to the Field Marshal. It would be the highest possible award for valour in the face of the enemy and it bore the name of the Queen for whom the men fought.This is the story of how the first Victoria Crosses were attained in the heat of the most deadly conflict of the nineteenth century. It is also an examination of how the definition of courage, as recognised by the awarding of VCs, evolved, from saving the regimental colours at the Alma to saving a comrade in the No Mans Land before Sevastopol.
Author: Michael Ashcroft Publisher: Biteback Publishing ISBN: 1785901400 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 310
Book Description
Foreword by Lance-Sergeant Johnson Beharry VC THE VICTORIA CROSS is Britain and the Commonwealth's most prestigious gallantry medal for courage in the face of the enemy. It has been bestowed upon 1,355 heroic individuals from all walks of life since its creation during the Crimean War. Lord Ashcroft, who has been fascinated with bravery since he was a young boy, now owns 200 VCs, by far the largest collection of its kind in the world. Following on from the bestselling Victoria Cross Heroes, first published in 2006 to mark the 150th anniversary of the award, Victoria Cross Heroes: Volume II gives extraordinary accounts of the bravery behind the newest additions to Lord Ashcroft's VC collection - those decorations purchased in the last decade. With nearly sixty action-packed stories of courageous soldiers, sailors and airmen from a range of global conflicts including the Indian Mutiny of 1857-58, the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902 and the First and Second World Wars, this book is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and a worthy tribute to the servicemen who earned the Victoria Cross. Their inspirational deeds of valour and self-sacrifice should be championed and never forgotten.
Author: Thomas Henry Kavanagh VC Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing ISBN: 1782894799 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 372
Book Description
[Illustrated with over one hundred maps, photos and portraits, of the battles, individuals and places involved in the Indian Mutiny] The siege of Lucknow remains, even after one hundred and fifty years have passed, the most iconic struggle of the Indian Mutiny of 1857; the British, their families and loyal sepoys were surrounded in the rambling buildings of the Residence. Other British forces were on their way to relieve the garrison, which was surrounded by 10,000 furious rebel troops and internally wracked by hunger, filth, cholera, dysentery and small pox. The question remained, would the relieving forces be able to reach the beleaguered men women and children in Lucknow in time? A hero emerged from the unlikeliest source; among the non-combatant civil service men holed up in the residence was an Irishman named Thomas Henry Kavanagh inspired by the chance to win undying glory. “I resolved to die in the struggle,” he writes, “rather than survive it with no better fame than I took into it.” He engaged in every dirty and dangerous job during the siege; leading a group of fellow civil service volunteers as a mobile reserve around the most embattled parts of the fortifications, manning field mortars, counter-tunnelling against a bomb attempt by the rebels. However, his lasting fame rests on his epic quest to escape the garrison disguised as a sepoy, and guide the relieving forces into the city of Lucknow and past the defences of the mutineers. This journey was as difficult as one can imagine and forms the subject of this famous book; the perilous journey would be recognized as one of the bravest feats of the entire conflict Kavanagh was awarded the coveted Victoria Cross for outstanding bravery, one of only five civilians to ever do so.
Author: Lara Kriegel Publisher: Cambridge University Press ISBN: 1108842224 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 365
Book Description
Rescuing the Crimean War from the shadows, Lara Kriegel demonstrates the centrality of a Victorian war to the making of modern Britain.
Author: Peter Hawthorne Publisher: Pen and Sword Military ISBN: 1399024191 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 202
Book Description
Seventy-Four animals have won the Dicken Medal, the highest award for animal bravery. Their inspiring stories are told, for the first time in one book, The Animal Victoria Cross. Four types of animal have been honored, dogs, horses, pigeons and one cat. Simon, the feline, is credited with saving an entire ship's crew. Canine breeds include Alsatians, Terriers, Collies and Spaniels. The majority of awards were related to war service and the conflicts include the Second World War, Korea, Iraq, Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. The Al-Qaeda attack on the Twin Towers as well as the Blitz saw great courage exhibited by animals such as Rip, the dog who saved many lives. In addition to British animals, there are American, Canadian, Australian and Egyptian winners of this unique award. This delightful book will be treasured by animal lovers everywhere. It is ideal to 'dip' into or read from cover to cover.
Author: Christopher McCreery Publisher: Dundurn ISBN: 1459724178 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 867
Book Description
This updated, full-colour illustrated book recounts the history of Canada’s various national orders, decorations, and medals. This expanded and updated edition of The Canadian Honours System surveys the history of Canada’s various orders, decorations, and medals, from New France’s Croix de St. Louis, Britain’s the Order of the Bath, to modern Canadian honours such as the Sacrifice Medal and recently created Polar Medal. Since the establishment of the Order of Canada in 1967, the Canadian honours system has grown to become one of the most comprehensive in the world — with more than 300,000 Canadians having been rewarded over the past fifty years. Each honour in the modern Canadian honours system, and its precursor, the British imperial honours system, is examined here in detail, including historical background, design, and criteria for bestowal. With special chapters on heraldry, protocol, and the proper mounting and wearing of medals, The Canadian Honours System is an essential reference for anyone interested in Canadian honours.
Author: Various Publisher: DigiCat ISBN: Category : History Languages : en Pages : 404
Book Description
Samuel Orchart Beeton describes the acts and deeds of brave soldiers that won them the highest award "the prize of valor." This book aims to sustain the bravery that exists in youthfulness in the experience of manhood. It encourages the essence of showcasing braveness and loyalty when it truly matters. This book is worthy of a read by every citizen of a country since it promotes loyalty towards one's nation – even outside the shores of the country.