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HEROES ALL THE SAME
Queen confirms the George Cross IS on a par with the Victoria Cross – ending years of speculation
THE Queen has signed off plans to confirm the George Cross — created by her father — is on a par with the Victoria Cross.
A formal statement due tomorrow will end decades of speculation about the order of the gongs.
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The George Cross has long been considered Britain’s second-highest honours decoration. It can be awarded to the Armed Forces and members of the public for “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger”.
The VC, introduced by George’s great-grandmother in 1856, is awarded for similar acts “in the presence of the enemy”.
When the GC was instituted 80 years ago to recognise civilian heroism in the Blitz, George VI’s decree said his medal, “shall be worn immediately after the Victoria Cross” — leading people to believe it was less prestigious.
But historians insist — and the Queen has agreed — that it was always his intention to put it on a par with the VC.
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The Sun says
ASK most people what Britain’s highest medal is and they’ll say the Victoria Cross.
Close second, they’ll tell you, comes the George Cross given to civilians or troops not under enemy fire.
But it’s not so, and was never intended to be. And that comes from the Queen — who should know, since the George Cross was her dad’s invention.
We see no reason why some acts of incredible bravery away from a battlefield cannot equal those of our fighting troops.
We’re delighted, on the medal’s 80th birthday yesterday, to find Her Maj agrees.
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Lord Ashcroft said the Honours and Appointments Secretariat had decided the medals are equal.
He added: “I welcome this ruling as I have long admired the cold courage of many GC recipients, including bomb disposal experts. Such men and women risk and sometimes give their lives to save others.”
No one has won both decorations. Were that to happen, the older VC takes precedence when pinned on the chest.
Mall kids hero
FORMER Royal Marine Dominic Troulan, pictured, was the last person to get a George Cross, for rescuing women and kids in a mall siege.
The retired Major, 57, entered Westgate mall in Nairobi, Kenya, at least 12 times with just a pistol after terrorists with grenades and machine guns stormed it in 2013.
His citation said: “He was fired on twice by the terrorists but managed to force them back.”
- SINCE 1856, 1,364 Victoria Crosses have been awarded but only 164 George Crosses since 1940.
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