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The Victoria Cross for Australia is a unique award that continues the proud traditions of its Imperial predecessor. The medal is made from the same gunmetal as the original Victoria Cross, which was introduced by Queen Victoria in 1856 to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War. It was originally believed that the medals were cast from the bronze of Russian cannons captured at the siege of Sevastopol. However, historian John Glanfield has proven that the metal used for almost all Victoria Crosses since 1914 is from antique Chinese guns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Metal | Antique Chinese bronze |
| Original source | Russian cannons captured at the siege of Sevastopol |
| Current source | Chinese cannons from the First Opium War |
| Width | 1.375 inches (35mm) |
| Manufacturer | Hancocks of London |
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What You'll Learn
Antique Chinese guns, not Russian
The Victoria Cross is a medal introduced on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War. It was originally believed that the Victoria Cross was cast from the bronze cascabels of two cannons captured from the Russians at the siege of Sevastopol. However, historian John Glanfield has proven that the metal used for almost all VCs since December 1914 is from antique Chinese guns, with no evidence of Russian origin.
China has a long history of firearm development, with sophisticated metallurgy techniques that allowed them to construct large guns as early as the 1370s during the Ming dynasty. While some scholars, like Asianist Kenneth Chase, argue that gun development stagnated during this period due to the type of enemies faced by the Chinese, namely horse nomads, others like Tonio Andrade refute this claim. Andrade suggests that Chinese walls, which were built differently from medieval European walls, were more resistant to cannon fire, making firearm development less of a priority for the Chinese.
Despite this, the Chinese continued to innovate and use firearms in warfare. For example, during the Siege of Shaoxing in 1358, the defenders used "fire tubes" to successfully repel the attacking Ming army. The Ming army itself also utilised cannons and trebuchets during the Siege of Suzhou in 1366, showcasing their adoption of gunpowder weapons. By the Qing dynasty, the Manchu-style bows became the typical Chinese bow, demonstrating the evolution of weaponry over time.
In addition to firearms, the Chinese military, militia, and peasant rebels also utilised traditional weapons such as the qiang (spear), dao (saber), and jian (arrow). These weapons came in various shapes and sizes and were used in conjunction with firearms to great effect. The development and use of antique Chinese guns, not Russian, showcase the ingenuity and adaptability of Chinese military strategies throughout history, influencing even the creation of prestigious medals like the Victoria Cross.
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Cast in bronze
The Australian Victoria Cross is cast in bronze from the cascabels of two cannons. It was long believed that the cannons were captured from the Russians during the siege of Sevastopol in the Crimean War. However, historian John Glanfield has proven, through X-ray studies of older Victoria Crosses, that the metal used is actually made from antique Chinese guns. This was further supported by the discovery of Chinese inscriptions on the cannon by Creagh and Ashton during their metallurgical examination.
The use of bronze from captured cannons holds symbolic significance, representing the bravery and triumph of battle. The casting process involves melting the bronze and pouring it into a mould specifically designed to create the distinctive shape of the Victoria Cross. This shape, known as a cross pattée, features a wide centre and flared edges, resembling a cross with arms that narrow towards the ends.
The Australian Victoria Cross follows the design of its British counterpart, featuring a lion guardant standing upon the Royal Crown in the centre. The inscription "For Valour" is included below the crown, reflecting the courage and valour of those being recognised. The cross is suspended from a crimson ribbon, which was adopted as the standard colour for all three military services by King George V in 1918.
The process of casting the Victoria Cross in bronze adds to the weight and solidity of the medal. It symbolises the significance and honour bestowed upon the recipient. The bronze casting also contributes to the medal's durability, ensuring that it endures as a lasting testament to the recipient's valour and service.
The Victoria Cross is produced by a single company of jewellers, Hancocks of London, who have been responsible for crafting every medal since its inception. The barrels of the cannons used to cast the medals are stationed outside the Officers' Mess at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, serving as a reminder of the medal's historical connection to captured armaments.
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$19.99
Cast from cannons
The Victoria Cross is a medal that was introduced on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War. It is traditionally believed that the Victoria Cross was cast from the bronze cascabels of two cannons that were captured from the Russians at the siege of Sevastopol. However, historian John Glanfield has proven, through X-ray studies of older Victoria Crosses, that the metal used for almost all VCs since December 1914 is from antique Chinese guns. Creagh, who conducted the metallurgical examination, noted the existence of Chinese inscriptions on the cannon, which are now barely legible due to corrosion.
The prototype Victoria Cross was made by the London jewellers Hancocks & Co, who continue to make VCs for presentation today. The first 62 crosses were presented to veterans of the Crimean War by Queen Victoria in June 1857 in London's Hyde Park. The event was attended by large crowds who greeted the recipients with rapturous applause. The Victoria Cross is suspended from a crimson ribbon, which was originally dark blue for the Royal Navy.
The Victoria Cross takes the form of a cross pattée, 1.375 inches (35mm) wide, bearing a crown surmounted by a lion, with the inscription 'For Valour'. The original inscription was to be 'For Bravery', but this was changed on the recommendation of Queen Victoria, who worried that some might mistakenly assume that only recipients of the VC were deemed brave in battle.
The barrels of the cannon used to cast the medals are stationed outside the Officers' Mess at the Royal Artillery Barracks at Woolwich. The remaining portion of the only remaining cascabel, weighing 10 kilograms (358 oz), is stored in a vault maintained by 15 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps at MoD Donnington, and can only be removed under armed guard. It is estimated that 80 to 85 more Victoria Crosses could be cast from this source.
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Medals struck from metal
The Victoria Cross for Australia is a highly prized award, recognising acts of valour by members of the Australian armed forces. The medal is in the form of a cross pattée, bearing a crown surmounted by a lion, with the inscription "For Valour". The ribbon from which the medal is suspended is crimson.
The Australian Victoria Cross is made from the same gunmetal as the original British version of the medal. It was originally intended that the Victoria Cross medals would be cast from the bronze cascabels of two cannons captured from the Russians during the Crimean War. This story has been questioned by historians, who have used X-ray studies to show that the metal used for most of the medals since December 1914 is from antique Chinese guns.
The prototype Victoria Cross was made by the London jewellers Hancocks & Co, who continue to make the medals today. The company was established in 1849 and has been responsible for the production of every medal since its inception. The metal for the medals comes from the barrels of the cannon, which are stationed outside the Officers' Mess at the Royal Artillery Barracks at Woolwich.
The remaining portion of the only remaining cascabel is stored in a vault maintained by the 15 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps at MoD Donnington. It is estimated that 80 to 85 more Victoria Cross medals could be cast from this source.
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Made by Hancocks of London
The Australian Victoria Cross is made by Hancocks of London, the official jewellers to the British Monarchy. Hancocks of London has a long history dating back to 1849 and is renowned for its expertise and craftsmanship in creating intricate and prestigious awards, including royal and state insignia.
The process of creating the Australian Victoria Cross involves a meticulous and detailed approach, ensuring the final product meets the highest standards. The medal is crafted from bronze, specifically a bronze gunmetal known as 'gunmetal bronze' or 'red bronze', which has a distinct reddish hue. This bronze is obtained from the melted-down metal of Chinese cannons captured during the Second Opium War in 1860. The use of this particular bronze is significant, as it
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Victoria Cross is made from the same gunmetal as the original British version.
It was long believed that the Victoria Cross was cast from the bronze cascabels of two cannons captured from the Russians during the siege of Sevastopol in the Crimean War.
In 1990, Creagh and Ashton conducted a metallurgical examination of the Victoria Crosses held by the Australian War Memorial. They found that the metal used was actually from antique Chinese guns.
They used X-ray studies of older Victoria Crosses and found Chinese inscriptions on the cannons.
A single company of jewellers, Hancocks of London, has been responsible for making the Victoria Cross since its inception in 1849.
