FURTHER VICTORIA CROSS WARRANTS
On August 10, 1858 the London Gazette announced that by
a further warrant under her Royal Sign Manual, her Majesty was pleased to
direct that the Victoria Cross should be conferred,
"subject to the rules and ordinances already made, on Officers and Men of
Her Majesty's Naval and Military Services, who may perform acts of
conspicuous courage and bravery under circumstances of extreme danger, such
as the occurance of a fire on board ship, or the foundering of a vessel at
sea, or under any of the other circumstance in which, through the courage
and devotion displayed, life or public property may be saved."
Under this new clause Crosses were awarded to Private O'Hea,
Dr. Douglas and several others.
On 8th July, 1859 a supplemental Warrant was announced in the
London Gazette stating:
"The Queen having been graciously pleased by a Warrant under her Royal Sign
manual, bearing date 13th December 1858, to declare that Non-Military
Persons who, as Volunteers, have borne arms against the Mutineers, both at
Lucknow and elsewhere, during the late operations in India, shall be
considered as eligible to receive the decoration of the Victoria Cross,
subject to the rules and ordinances, etc. etc. . . . provided
that it be established in any case that the person was serving under the
orders of a general or other Officer in Command of troops in the Field; her
Majesty has accordingly been pleased to signify her intention to confer
this high distinction on the undermentioned gentlemen, etc. etc."
This Warrant provided for the award of the Cross to Messrs.
Kavanagh, Mangles and McDonell who were all civilians serving during the
Mutiny.
Royal Warrant. -- Qualification required for the Decoration of the
Victoria Cross.
Victoria R.
Whereas doubts have arisen as to the qualification required for
the decoration of the Victoria Cross, and whereas the description of such
qualification in Our Warrant of 29th January, 1856, is not uniform. Our
will and pleasure is that the qualification shall be "conspicuous bravery
or devotion to the country in the presence of the enemy", and that Our
Warrant of 29th January, 1856, shall be read and interpreted
accordingly.
It is Our further will and pleasure that Officers and Men of
Our Auxiliary and reserve Forces (Naval and Military) shall be eligible for
the decoration of the Victoria cross under the conditions of Our said
Warrant, as ammended by this Our Warrant.
Given at our Court at Osborne, this 23rd day of April, 1881, in
the forty-fourth year of Our Reign.
By Her Majesty's Command,
Hugh C. E. Childers.
A further Warrant apppeared in 1881 which included as eligible
for the Decoration members of the Indian Ecclesiastical Establishment,
provided that they were serving under a general or other officer in command
of troops in the field. This Warrant provided for the decoration being
awarded to the Reverend J.W. Adams.
A Warrant dated 18 July, 1898 authorized the increase of the
Victoria Cross pension from 10 pounds to 50 pounds per annum, the condition
to be satisfied in such cases being inability to earn a livlihood, in
consequence of age or infirmity occasioned by causes beyond an Annuitant's
control.
On 8 August, 1902 a Warrant was isued by King Edward VII
providing for posthumous awarding of the Victoria Cross, reading:
"The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the Decoration of the
Victoria Cross being delivered to the representatives of the
undermentioned officers, non-commissioned officers and men who fell during
the recent operations in South Africa, in the performance of acts of valour
which would, in the opinion of the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in the
Field, have entitled them to be recommended for that distinction had they
survived:
(Here follow the names of Captain Younger, Lieut. Digby-Jones, Lieut.
Roberts, and others.)
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