History

In the nave of Westminster Abbey, near the grave of the Unknown Warrior, is a joint memorial stone to holders of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry, and  holders of the George Cross. This was unveiled on 14 May 2003 in the presence of The Queen. The enlarged bronze Victoria cross, with crimson inlaid enamelled ribbon, is embedded in a pale stone, designed by John Burton and cut by Joshua Larkum with the medals by David Callaghan. The inscription reads:

"Remember their valour and gallantry"

The Victoria Cross was instituted by Queen Victoria on 29 January 1856, and made retrospective to 1854 to include actions during the Crimean war. The bronze is melted down from Chinese cannons captured from the Russians at Sebastopol in the Crimea. The Cross is ensigned with the Royal Crest (a lion surmounting a crown) with "For Valour" inscribed on a scroll. At the time of the unveiling there were 1,354 holders of the V.C. including three people who won it twice. It was awarded to the American Unknown Warrior in 1921.

A photo of the stone can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.

Victoria Cross holders in Westminster Abbey:

General Lord Henry Percy (died 1877) is buried in the Northumberland family vault in St Nicholas Chapel

Captain Hugh Burgoyne has a brass memorial in the north transept. He drowned in HMS Captain.

William G.H.Bankes, a former pupil of Westminster School, is commemorated on the Crimea and Indian Mutiny column opposite the west front of the Abbey.

In the Royal Army Medical Corps Rolls of Honour 1914-18 there are eight holders named.

In the Commando Roll of Honour there are four holders named.

In the Lady Chapel there are Order of the Bath stall plates for: Sir G.O'Moore Creagh, Sir James Hills-Johnes, Sir Henry Prendergast, Sir Dighton Probyn, Earl Roberts, Rear Admiral Robert Sherbrooke, Sir John Watson and Sir H.E.Wood.

Further information:

The V.C. and G.C. Association, Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1 2AX

"Monuments to Courage: Victoria Cross headstones and memorials" 2 vols. by D.Harvey, 1999