Victor Brookes - a WW1 love story

[NigelS]

Currently doing the rounds - least in the Telegraph & Mail - is the WW1 love story of Victor Brookes and the presentation of his Albert Medal to IWM North recently.

In that the Albert Medal appears to be a comparatively rare award during WW1 (anyone know the stats ?), can't help wondering whether the award of four (two posthumously) for a single incident might be unique. (London Gazette entry)

NigelS

[spof]

LLT to the rescue again http://www.1914-1918.net/grandad/albert.htm

[NigelS]

Thanks SPOF

NigelS

[NigelS]

A piece in today's Daily Telegraph (Click) gives that Victor Brookes was entitled to an 'upgrade' to a George Cross when all living recipients of the Albert Medal became eligible for the award in 1971. Sadly, Brookes was never informed before he died three years later. The entitlement was discovered by researchers working on an authoritative history of the Victoria and George Crosses for The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.

NigelS

Edit: Percival Norwood - also mentioned in the article - was not originally awarded the Albert Medal, but the Edward Medal for which living awardees also became eligible for the George Cross in 1971. Norwood's award was pre Great War, but the citation for it can be found in the London Gazette Here. Sad to reflect that recent events of a similar nature have resulted in disciplinary measures for contravening health & safety rules rather than bravery awards.

Edited 12 November , 2013 by NigelS

[generalist]

Currently doing the rounds - least in the Telegraph & Mail - is the WW1 love story of Victor Brookes and the presentation of his Albert Medal to IWM North recently.

In that the Albert Medal appears to be a comparatively rare award during WW1 (anyone know the stats ?), can't help wondering whether the award of four (two posthumously) for a single incident might be unique. (London Gazette entry)

NigelS

Incidental footnote: the record seems to be 24, awarded in 1877 - originally 25, but one was cancelled. http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/rhagor/article/tynewydd-medal/ Ten were awarded after another mine accident in 1882.

During WWI, as well as the multiple incidents mentioned on the LLT page, there was at least one RFC incident with four awards, an ammunition-store fire on 3/1/16. One of the recipients was Cyril Newall, later Chief of the Air Staff.

Andrew.