The Victoria Cross is one of the highest honours a British soldier can receive
(Picture: Getty Images)A book, the only other copy which belongs to the Royal family and contains signatures of 128 Victoria Cross (VC) war heroes, has sold at auction for £4,500.
The book originated from a Victoria Cross centenary celebration in London awarding medals to brave soldiers attended by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
The late Jack Masters was a toastmaster for the prestigious event on June 26, 1956 and he requested VC medallists to sign his book after they had signed the Queen’s.
What is the Victoria Cross?
The Victoria Cross is one of the highest honours for British soldiers. It is awarded for valour “in the presence of the enemy” to members of the British Armed Forces.
It was introduced on January 29, 1856 by Queen Victoria.
Mr Masters was granted special permission by Her Majesty to obtain the veterans’ signatures at the special ceremony in Hyde Park, London.
After he died, the book was passed to his son-in-law John Dunkley, 79, from Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire.
“When the VC veterans arrived for dinner, they were asked to sign a book for the Queen,” Mr Dunkley said.
“My father-in-law was a very crafty man. He took along his own autograph book, put it next to the Queen’s, stood by the table and asked them all to sign his book too.
“That means the only other VC signatures book like this in the world will be in the royal collection.”
Victoria Cross war hero signatures book sells at auction
The book remained in a drawer for 30 years and was sold on February 14 at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall, Derbyshire.
It was expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 and was sold to a buyer in the UK.
Hansons Auctioneers militaria consultant, Matt Crowson said: “It is one of the most extraordinary militaria finds we have ever made — an almost unique archive of signatures of men rewarded for immense bravery.
“As far as we can ascertain, no other collection of VC winners’ signatures as comprehensive as this example has ever been offered for sale.”
The signature of all men bravely fighting for their country included “every Victoria Cross holder who was well enough to attend the function”.
How many Victoria Cross recipients have there been?
Since its inception, there have been 1,358 VCs awarded to 1,355 people.
Only 15 medals, of which 11 have been given to British Army members and four to those in the Australian Army, have been awarded since the Second World War.
Other British military honours and awards
The VC is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system.
The George Cross is awarded to all ranks of the services and civilians and can be awarded posthumously.
Other awards include:
- Distinguished Service Order
- Conspicuous Gallantry Cross
- Royal Red Cross
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Military Cross
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Air Force Cross
- Royal Red Cross
- George Medal
- Queen’s Gallantry Medal
- Queen’s Volunteer Reserves Medal
- Mention in Despatches
- Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service
- Queen’s Commendation for Bravery
- Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air.
