Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1903-06-21
THE VICTORIA CROSS
Ensland's Most Coveteb Decoration
How First Cross Was Won.

January % is the anniversary of the
Institution of the soldiers most prec-
ious Neutrality-suspicious. the most prec-
ious decoration in the world-the VIC
toria cross. for it was instituted by her
ma jesty the late Queen Victoria, on
the 29th day of January, 1856, and so ii
is the NEST priced of all the decorations
and orders an Englishman can win, 1t
IS also the most democratic decoration
in the world; although il is the ofhclaI
badge of an actual personal courage
end daring, II has no concern with
rank, long service or wounds, and it
may be worn by one who has been on
ly a few months, or even weeks, in the
army, while others who have spent
their lives in the service and gained
tank and other decorations may not
possess it. 1t may be worn by pri-
vate soldier or a field marshal, and on
the roll of the heroes names are to be
found almost every rank in both the
services, for the winning of the cross
is possible to any one, as il was grant
ed "as a reward for conspicuous bra
very or devotion TO the country in the
presence of the enemy" or as the in
scription upon it records, For Valor. "
The Victoria cross had its\birth dur
ing the Crimean war, when Queen Vic
toria felt that some recognition of the
personal daring and heroism of her
soldiers in that terrible struggle was
reeded. The royal warrant clearly lay
down the conditions under which the
cross may be worn, but the whole of
them may be summarized in the one
sentence. For conspicuous bravery or
devotion to the country in the presence
of the enemy" There are not many
who are unfamiliar with the appear
ance of the cross. but for the benefit OF
those who have only seen il in photo
graphs and pictures. it may be said
that it is about an inch and a half wide
nd has in the diverse center a crowned
lion. underneath which is an escroll
bearing the words, For Valor" 1t is
attached to a bar on which is q spray
of laurel leaves. and is suspended by a
broad ribbon, which is blue for the naval
Both the cross and the bar are made
from bronze which formerly formed
part of some of the Russian guns cap
tured during the Crimean war and
complete with the ribbon and pin
weighs Just under an ounce, or 432
grains, to be exact. 1t is engraved with
the name and regiment of the recipient.
as we'll as the date on which he won
IT, and as soon as this Is done it is dis
patched from the makers to the SOW
ereign to bestow upon the hero.
1t is strange to have to record that
The first Victoria cross was won by u
sailor for il has come TO be looked up
On as almost entirely military decoraL
ton, yet such Is the case-aud il Is still
stranger that the deed which gained
u was performed year and seven
months prior to the institution of the
decoration. Another feature is that al
the time of winning it he was a boy
serving his time as d midshipman on
board II. NJ. $. Hecla. and the story of
how Charles Davis Lucas, now an adj
niral, won the cross as a MILDLY will
always form one of the most glorious
stories among the many in it's history
ii was at the bombardment of Homar-
sund. In the Baltic, on June q, 1854
that live shell dropped in the midst
| OF group of men of whom young Luz
tas was in command. The fuse was al
| most burned away. Without a mo-
inents hesitation the young midship-
man aprang forward. grasped the
spluttering shell in his hands and
rushing to the side Of the vessel, hurl-
ed 1t overheard, where IL exploded be-
fore 1t reached the water. Such an act
as this displays the sublimest courage
for 1t combines intelligence and instan-
taneous action. and in boy 1t was es-
pecially meritorious. and so young Lu-
cas- was chosen as the first recipient
or the decoration eighteen months af-
terward. The winning of a cross. il
may be explained. carries with it an
annuity OF $50. which may be increased
10 $3.50. payable quarterly, to all ex-
cepting commissioned officers. but in
Guiding those who have risen from the
ranks. while for each clasp an extra an
ruity OF s25 is awarded.-St James
| Gazette.