In Depth
Canada's Military
Victoria Cross and other military medals
Last Updated May 16, 2008
CBC News
The new Canadian version of the Victoria Cross.
Veterans Affairs Canada lists more than 100 medals awarded to Canadians, some instituted as far back as the mid-1800s.
While most are for military service, some, such as the medal for officer of the Order of Canada, can be awarded to a Canadian from any walk of life who exemplifies the highest qualities of citizenship.
Among the military awards, the Victoria Cross is probably the best known.
The medal, for British and Commonwealth forces, was instituted Feb. 5, 1856. Veterans Affairs says it is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy."
Of the 1,353 Victoria Crosses awarded since 1856, 81 went to members of the Canadian military.
The first Canadian to win the cross, in 1857, was Alexander Robert Dunn, a 21-year-old soldier in the Crimean War serving in the British army's 11th Hussars.
Dunn saved a sergeant's life by killing two or three Russian lancers who were attacking from the rear. He also killed another Russian who was attacking a private.
The last Canadian to win the VC was Hampton Gray, a Canadian navy pilot serving with the British Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. He was honoured posthumously after sinking a Japanese destroyer in 1945 in the dying days of the Second World War.
The last surviving Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross medal, Ernest (Smokey) Smith died in August 2005 at age 91. He was a member of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.
In October 1944, during the Second World War, Smith single-handedly fought off German tanks and troops during a critical battle in Italy.
On May 16, 2008, Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean unveiled a new Canadian version of the Victoria Cross.
Queen Elizabeth approved the creation of a Canadian VC in 1993. The Canadian VC would be awarded by the Canadian government, not the Queen, and presented by the Governor General.
The criteria for the Canadian VC will be the same, and the award will likely rank above the three Canadian bravery medals, created in 1972: the Cross of Valour, the Star of Courage and the Medal of Bravery.
The design of the medal is the same, except for addition of fleurs de lis and the replacement of the English inscription "For Valour" with the Latin "Pro Valore."
The National Council of Veteran Associations says a Canadian soldier could still be awarded the British Victoria Cross, and it would remain the highest award for gallantry in the Commonwealth.
There are also medals specific to certain conflicts, such as the Korea Service Badge, United Nations Assistance Mission In Rwanda and United Nations Protection Force (Yugoslavia).
And as a sign of patriotic sentiment during the Second World War, a special award was created for those who had tried to enlist, but were rejected for medical reasons.
Up till then, these would-be soldiers were issued certificates declaring them medically unfit.
But as Veterans Affairs officials point out, "this form did not satisfy the need for an easily identified indicator of exempt status however, and rejected applicants suffered the wrath of the public as a result."
So on Oct. 11, 1941, Canada's Governor General, the Earl of Athlone, announced a badge to distinguish medically unfit volunteers from those who hadn't volunteered.
And not to be forgotten, the widows and mothers of Canadian sailors and soldiers who died during war can also be honoured with the Memorial Cross. In May 2006, for the first time, a female Canadian solider died in combat. This prompted the Department of National Defence to amend its policy so that fathers and widowers would also be eligible to receive the medal.
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