Health warning..sit down before clicking on this...

[Chris Boonzaier]

I visited a very helpful and friendly collector this weekend, I found this in one of his drawers..... my green tinges of envy are still to be seen.....
I am allowed to post it on the condition that I mention no names, so here for your enjoyment......

[MH184]

Hi Chris,

Is that an actual VC or for insurance and safety purpose's is that a replica.

I can't say I've seen a real one, only ones in museum's which I believe are copies, even the one I saw on an military camp in their own little museum, the other medals were genuine of course.

What a set to own with the worlds most famous medal, and hardest to earn, unless your an Officer of course


Kind regards,


Marcus

[HuliganRS]

Gentlemen,

Which medal are you talking about?
What's so special?

I only collect Soviet awards so don't flame me...


Thanks,

Rusty.

[anguspm]

Rusty,

The first one. It was/is the UK's highest bravery award. Do a quick search on google and you'll find it very quickly.

As Marcus said, "You need to be an officer to get it" well that and "being killed helps".

[Peter_Suciu]

Rusty, the Victoria Cross is akin to the Hero of the Soviet Union award. It is the one on the far left. The VC was instituted in 1856 and has only been bestowed about 1300 times. Since the end of WWII the award has only been bestowed 11 times and I believe the last times were during the Falklands War in 1982.

So I would say it is something quite special.

[Chris Boonzaier]

As Tony would say... thats a lot of beer tokens.

In many countries you could buy yourself a nice house for the price of this group.

The man who won it was a private when he won his VC and worked his way up to officer in WW1.

other than the Falklands officer VC most officers seem to have done a fair bit to earn their gong, it doesnt come cheap, no matter what rank you have.

[HuliganRS]

Gentlemen,

Thank you.

I did some searching, WoW. With only 1300 recipients I can see how this one is a holy grail.

Thanks for the 411.

I love this hoby, I get to learn every day.

Rusty.

[David F]

What a group!!!
Speechless
David

[Jim Maclean]

I have 4 of those medals, so I suppose in one of my wilder dreams I could be considered to be halfway there
You're luckier than most even seeing a real one.
Jim

[Tony Farrell]

A Colonial Auxiliary Officers' Decoration! Bastard, bastard, bastard! I'm after one of those too. Bugger!

[Rolf D.]

What did the Falklands officer do (or not do) to win his?

[McCulloh]

I was there when this one was sold.
There's another one coming up for sale at Spinks I think.

[Ciaran Byrne]

What a lovely set...truly a truly enviable set even for someone like me who does not collect British medals.
As for the statement "the Victoria Cross is akin to the Hero of the Soviet Union award" with respect I think it was/is harder to earn a VC. Many cosmonauts were HSU but believe me, no British astronaut would get a VC for simply going into space...it is a combat award in the true sense of the word. It is totally unique in that it is made from the Russian cannons captured at Sevastopol during the Crimean war. For such a high award to be made from the captured enemy guns makes it even more unique that the Hero of the Soviet Union medal in my opinion.
Don't get me wrong. Soviet collecting is my speciality and I am not taking anything away from all the great people who won the Hero of the Soviet Union award - they were/are true heroes but as far as bravery under fire come, the VC takes some beating - especially with its unique history.
Makes you proud to be British!

[Rolf D.]

Russians got medals for taking a crap it seems...

[Ciaran Byrne]

Russians got medals for taking a crap it seems...

That is a bit unfair when you check out the countries history. The reason is that as well as the usual awards for bravery etc, there were awards for the anniversay of the Armed Forces, good conduct medals, city anniversaries which were permitted to be worn on the uniform. The main image of the abundance of medals is seen on Generals or Marshals. The reason for this is that many served during WWII and were awarded many medals due to the fact they saw more combat than most other servicemen of the Allies.

The quote that they got medals for "taking a crap" as you say is a typical reaction from somebody who has no knowledge of Soviet awards.