The Victoria Cross (VC) was established in 1856 as an award for outstanding bravery.
It was originally made from the metal of Russian guns captured during the Crimean War (1854-1856). Unlike most awards in class-conscious Victorian society, it was awarded to all service personnel regardless of rank and status.
The Victoria Cross
The level of bravery needed to qualify for the VC is enormous.
Of the 1355 VCs awarded since 1856
six have been won by members of the Royal Tank Corps and Royal Tank Regiment.
This is shown by the story of Lieutenant-Colonel Foote, one of the Royal Tank Regiment’s recipients from World War Two:
Lieut-Colonel Foote
Charged with covering the retreat of the Guards Brigade from the Knightsbridge escarpment in North Africa in 1942, Foote’s first line of tanks was quickly destroyed.
Foote knew he could not afford to give one inch so, despite being under enemy fire, he went on foot from tank to tank encouraging the men and specifying their individual roles.
The crew of a British Crusader tank watching a burning Panzer IV
Not content with this Foote then placed his own tank, now badly damaged and unable to shoot its guns, in front of the line and conducted the battle from the open turret.
His actions inspired the men of the Battalion to fight with renewed determination allowing the Guards Brigade to escape to safety.
A replica of Foote’s VC along with his other medals
and personal possessions are on display in the Museum.
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![[image] The Victoria Cross](images/new-images/foote_vc_medal.jpg)
![[image] Lieut-Colonel Foote](images/new-images/lieut_colonel_foote.jpg)
![[image] The crew of a British Crusader tank watching a burning Panzer IV](images/new-images/crusader_burningpanzer_iv.jpg)
