Victoria Cross and other military medals


Veterans Affairs Canada lists more than 100 medals awarded to Canadians, some instituted as far back as the mid-1800s.

While most are for military service, some, such as the medal for officer of the Order of Canada, can be awarded to a Canadian from any walk of life who exemplifies the highest qualities of citizenship.

Among the military awards, the Victoria Cross is probably the best known.

The medal, for British and Commonwealth forces, was instituted Feb. 5, 1856. Veterans Affairs says it is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy."

The first Canadian to win the cross, in 1857, was Alexander Robert Dunn, a 21-year-old soldier in the Crimean War serving in the British army's 11th Hussars.

Dunn saved a sergeant's life by killing two or three Russian lancers who were attacking from the rear. He also killed another Russian who was attacking a private.

The last surviving Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross medal, Ernest (Smokey) Smith died in August 2005 at age 91. He was a member of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.

In October 1944, during the Second World War, Smith single-handedly fought off German tanks and troops during a critical battle in Italy.

There are also medals specific to certain conflicts, such as the Korea Service Badge, United Nations Assistance Mission In Rwanda and United Nations Protection Force (Yugoslavia).

And as a sign of patriotic sentiment during the Second World War, a special award was created for those who had tried to enlist, but were rejected for medical reasons.

Up till then, these would-be soldiers were issued certificates declaring them medically unfit.

But as Veterans Affairs officials point out, "this form did not satisfy the need for an easily identified indicator of exempt status however, and rejected applicants suffered the wrath of the public as a result."

So on Oct. 11, 1941, Canada's Governor General, the Earl of Athlone, announced a badge to distinguish medically unfit volunteers from those who hadn't volunteered.

And not to be forgotten, the widows and mothers of Canadian sailors and soldiers who died during war can also be honoured with the Memorial Cross.



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