Articles, Lists & Features
Every page from Alf's original site, rebuilt and organised by theme — plus the new pages added in 2026.
The medal
- About the Victoria CrossHistory, design and statistics of the award
- Frequently asked questionsQuick answers about the VC
- Reverse View of the Victoria CrossThe rear of the Victoria Cross, showing the engraving requirements of a genuine award, made by Hancocks of…
- Rule 13 — VCs Awarded by BallotRule 13 of the Victoria Cross warrant allowed units to elect recipients by ballot. The cases where it was…
- Victoria Cross ForfeituresThe eight men whose Victoria Crosses were forfeited between 1861 and 1908, and King George V's view on the…
- The Victoria Cross Warrant, 1856–1920The full text of the Royal Warrant of 29 January 1856 instituting the Victoria Cross, with later amendments…
- VCs at AuctionVictoria Crosses sold at auction and the prices they fetched, as recorded by Alf Askin.
- Victoria Cross FactsQuick facts about the Victoria Cross: numbers awarded, youngest and oldest recipients, the metal and more.
By campaign
- Crimean War VCsThe first Victoria Crosses: recipients of the Crimean War 1854–1856.
- Rorke's Drift, 22–23 January 1879Complete roster of the defenders of Rorke's Drift, the roll of honour and the eleven Victoria Crosses awarded.
- Zeebrugge — Items of News and InterestThe Admiralty ballot sheet, nominees and other items concerning the Victoria Crosses of the Zeebrugge Raid…
- Zeebrugge Victoria CrossesThe eight Victoria Crosses of the Zeebrugge and Ostend raids of 1918, four of them awarded by ballot.
By service
- Airmen VCsBritish and Commonwealth airmen awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in the air — RFC, RNAS and RAF —…
- Medical VCsDoctors, surgeons, stretcher-bearers and chaplains who won the Victoria Cross saving others under fire.
- Royal Marines VCsVictoria Cross holders of the Royal Marines, Royal Marine Light Infantry and Royal Marine Artillery.
- Royal Navy VCsVictoria Cross holders of the Royal Navy and Naval Brigades, from the Crimea to the Second World War.
By birthplace
- ANZAC VCs — Australian, New Zealand and Tasmanian BornVictoria Cross holders born in Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania, with dates and places of birth.
- Asian VCs — Indian Army and Gurkha HoldersTable of Indian, Gurkha and other Asian recipients of the Victoria Cross in the First and Second World Wars.
- Canadian-Born VCsVictoria Cross recipients born in Canada, listed by Alf Askin.
- Foreign-Born VCsVictoria Cross holders born outside the British Empire and Commonwealth.
- Irish-Born VCsVictoria Cross recipients born in Ireland, compiled by Alf Askin.
- Scottish-Born VCsVictoria Cross recipients born in Scotland, compiled by Alf Askin.
- Welsh-Born VCsVictoria Cross recipients born in Wales.
Lists
- All recipients A–ZEvery VC holder with his own page
- Awarded since 2005Beharry, Budd, Apiata, Donaldson, Roberts-Smith, Keighran, Ashworth, Baird, Leakey, Sheean, Norden
- Living VCsHolders of the Victoria Cross alive today, with Alf Askin's 2003 list for comparison.
- Related VCs — Fathers, Sons and BrothersVictoria Cross holders related to one another: fathers and sons, brothers and cousins.
- Victoria Cross and Bar — the Three Double WinnersArthur Martin-Leake, Noel Chavasse and Charles Upham: the only men awarded the Victoria Cross twice.
- VC Holders with Unusual ForenamesA light-hearted list of Victoria Cross holders with unusual or remarkable forenames.
Investitures
- Edward VIII InvestitureVictoria Crosses presented during the short reign of King Edward VIII in 1936.
- The First Investiture, Hyde Park 1857Queen Victoria presented the first 62 Victoria Crosses in Hyde Park on 26 June 1857. The full story and list…
- Hyde Park Ceremony, 26 June 1857Account of the first Victoria Cross investiture ceremony in Hyde Park, London, 1857.
- First VC Investiture — Order of ParadeThe order of parade and recipients at the first Victoria Cross investiture, 1857.
Articles
- Ambulances Named After Medical VCsHow Army armoured and soft-skin ambulances were named in tribute to medical holders of the Victoria Cross.
- Citation CertificatesAlf Askin designed and printed individual citation certificates for VC holders on watermarked ivory card.
- The Only Fighter Pilot VC — James NicolsonFlight Lieutenant James Brindley Nicolson, the only Fighter Command pilot awarded the Victoria Cross, Battle…
- News Items 2000–2006News items recorded by Alf Askin: memorial dedications, ceremonies and tributes to VC holders.
- The Sinnott MysteryAlf Askin's investigation into the mystery surrounding a Victoria Cross and the name Sinnott.
- Dear Alf — a Wren Driver's LetterA letter sent to Alf by Sally Saunders, Admiral Place VC's Wren driver, recalling her time with the Admiral…
- VC and GC Memorial Dedication, Westminster Abbey 2003The Queen dedicated the Victoria Cross and George Cross memorial in Westminster Abbey on 14 May 2003…
- Thomas Reeves VCSeaman Thomas Reeves, Royal Navy, awarded the Victoria Cross for Inkerman, 5 November 1854.
- John Elisha Grimshaw VCCorporal John Grimshaw, Lancashire Fusiliers, one of the 'six VCs before breakfast' at Gallipoli, 25 April…
- Lieutenant Colonel 'H' Jones VCLieutenant Colonel Herbert 'H' Jones, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, Goose Green, Falklands 1982.
- Walter Parker VC Memorial Square, StaplefordThe memorial square at Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, dedicated to Lance Corporal Walter Parker VC, Royal…
- Charles Hudson VCPhotograph relating to Brigadier Charles Edward Hudson VC of Derby.
Galleries
- Items of InterestSnippets and newspaper cuttings of interest about the Victoria Cross from Alf Askin's collection.
- National Memorial Arboretum, AlrewasAlf Askin's photographs from the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, Staffordshire.
- Photo Gallery 1 — Graves and MemorialsPhotographs of Victoria Cross graves and memorials taken by Alf Askin on his travels.
- Photo Gallery 2More photographs of Victoria Cross graves, memorials and medals from Alf Askin's collection.
- Portsmouth, April 2005Alf's final visit to Portsmouth and the Royal Naval Museum with his family in April 2005.
- Photograph IndexIndex of photographs of VC graves on the original site.
Resources
- Places to visitMuseums, memorials and graves with maps
- Recommended ReadingBooks on the Victoria Cross recommended by Alf Askin, who consulted around 250 volumes in his research.
- Links & ResourcesWebsites for Victoria Cross research: official records, grave databases, museums and the links Alf originally…