Honours and Awards

Awards of The Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross, the most highly coveted decoration which it is possible for any sailor, soldier or airman, of any rank, to obtain, was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856.  The Cross was traditionally manufactured from the bronze guns captured in the Crimea but this supply was exhausted in 1942.  Originally, the ribbon (38mm wide) was blue for the Royal Navy and crimson or claret for the Army, but with the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918, a crimson ribbon was adopted for all recipients.

There are five members of the predecessors of the Royal Corps of Transport who have been awarded the Victoria Cross.

Awards of The Albert Medal
The Albert medal was established by Queen Victoria in 1866 for the distinguished and many heroic acts performed in saving life at sea.  In 1877 the awards were extended to cover similar acts on land.  King George VI instituted the George Cross in September 1940 to acknowledge the outstanding gallantry of the civilian population in the war of that time.  The civilian award would have the same status as the Victoria Cross and would take precedence after that medal.