Living Holders of the Victoria Cross

As of October 2026 there are 7 living holders of the Victoria Cross (including the Victoria Cross for Australia and for New Zealand).

Living VCs today

Keith Payne VC AM — Vietnam 1969, Australia (Born 30 Aug 1933; last living recipient of the original (Imperial) VC awarded to an Australian; oldest living VC holder since John Cruickshank's death)
Johnson Beharry VC COG — Iraq 2005, UK
Willie Apiata VC — Afghanistan 2007, New Zealand (VC for New Zealand)
Mark Donaldson VC — Afghanistan 2009, Australia (VC for Australia)
Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG — Afghanistan 2011, Australia
Daniel Keighran VC — Afghanistan 2012, Australia (VC for Australia)
Joshua Leakey VC — Afghanistan 2015, UK

Recently deceased holders: William (Bill) Speakman VC (died 20 June 2018); Rambahadur Limbu VC MVO (died 22 April 2023); John Alexander Cruickshank VC (died 9 August 2025).

Alf's list of living VCs (as he recorded it, 2003)

Kept for the historical record; of these gentlemen only Keith Payne and Johnson Beharry are still living.

Living Victoria Cross Recipients

BHANBHAGTA GURUNG. Rifleman. 3rd Battn. 2nd Gurkha Rifles. Gazetted:.5th June 1945

BEHARRY, Johnson Gideon. Private. 1st Battn. Prince of Wales Royal Regiment

CRUICKSHANK, John.A. 210 Sqdn. Royal Air Force. Gazetted:. 1st September 1944

FRASER, Ian E. Lieutenant. Royal Naval Reserve. Gazetted:.13th November 1945.

KENNA, Edward. Private. 2nd/4th Battn. Australian Imperial Force. Gazetted:. 6th September 1945

LACHIMAN GURUNG. Rifleman. 8th Gurkha Rifles. Gazetted:. 27th July 1945.

PAYNE, Kieth. Warrant Officer II. Australian Army Training Team. Gazetted:. 19th September 1969.

RAMBAHADUR LIMBU. Lance-Corporal. 2nd Battn. 10th Gurkha Rifles. Gazetted:. 21st April 1966.

SMITH, Ernest A. Private. Seaforth Highlanders (Canada) CIF. Gazetted:. 20th December 1944.

SPEAKMAN,* William. Private. The Black Watch.^*. Gazetted:. 28th December 1951.

TULBAHADUR PUN. Rifleman. 3rd Battn. 6th Gurkha Rifles. Gazetted:. 9th November 1944.

UMRAO SINGH. Havildar.** Royal Indian Artillery. Gazetted:. 31st May 1945.

WATKINS, Tasker. Lieutenant1st/5th Battn. Welch Regiment. Gazetted:. 2nd November 1944.

WILSON, Eric.C.T.Captain. East Surrey Regiment.^^ Gazetted:. 14th October 1940.

*Now SPEAKMAN-PITTS.

^*Attached to Kings Own Scottish Borderers.

^^ Attached Somaliland Camel Corps.

*^Attached to Hampshire Regiment.

**Sergeant.

Updated:26.06.03