Postage Stamps
The United Kingdom
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In September 2006 the Post Office will be issuing a set of stamps to depict the Victoria Cross - I have early images of these on a special page here.
The Victoria Cross takes its place as the first in a set of British Postage Stamps which were issued by the Royal Mail on 11th September 1990 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the George Cross. The Postcards which contain images of the stamps, known as PHQ cards, give a really clear image of these wonderful medals.
Australia
The Australian Post office issued a set of stamps depicting VC winners from that country to celebrate the centenary of the first VC award to an Australian - the stamps were issued on 24th July 2004. I have both the set of un-issued stamps and the first day cover thanks to my pal Bruce who lives in Australia!
The set of un-used stamps
A First Day Cover
Canada
The Canadians issued a set on 30th April 2004 to mark the 150th anniversary of the first award of a VC to a Canadian Lieutenant Alexander Roberts Dunn, who fought at Balaklava during the Crimean War. Amid the withdrawal on October 25, 1854, Dunn deliberately turned his horse back and attacked the oncoming Russian cavalry, allowing a fellow soldier to escape. The first stamp depicts an illustration of the Canadian Victoria Cross, approved in 1993 by Queen Elizabeth II. The Canadian VC is similar to the original in every respect save the inscription "Pro Valore," a Latin version of "For Valour." As no Canadian medal has as yet been awarded since this approval none have been created. The stamp reproduces the design approved by the Queen, complete with her signature. The other stamp shows a VC awarded to a Canadian but all identification has been removed from the photograph to maintain his anonymity.
The pair is shown above, along with a close-up of the Queens approval, whilst below is a sheet containing 16 stamps on a sheet with the names of the 96 Canadian VC holders in the centre. I sent off to Canada for these.
The only living Canadian VC winner "Smokey" Smith at the launch of the stamps
This is my First Day Cover of the Canada Post VC stamps.
British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands issued a Millennium miniature sheet in 2000 to honour Samuel Hodge, the first black man, and one of only two, to receive the Victoria Cross in recognition of heroic deeds during the 1866 Ashantee War. Hodge was a native of Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Grenada
Private Johnson Gideon Beharry from 1st Battalion the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment is the first person to receive the Victoria Cross since 1982 and the first living recipient since 1965.
Pte Beharry receives the VCfor two separate acts of outstanding gallantry of the highest order whilst based in Al Amarah, Maysan Province, Iraq, in 2004.
In the first incident on 1 May 2004, Pte Beharry was driving the Platoon Commander’s Warrior armoured vehicle that had been called to the assistance of a foot patrol caught in a series of ambushes. The Warrior vehicle was hit by multiple rocket propelled grenades, causing damage and resulting in the loss of radio communications. The platoon commander, the vehicle’s gunner and a number of other soldiers in the vehicle were injured. Pte Beharry showed initiative and great courage driving through the ambush, taking his own crew and leading five other Warriors to safety. He then demonstrated outstanding bravery by extracting his wounded colleagues from the vehicle, all the time exposed to further enemy fire. He is cited on this occasion for “valour of the highest order”.
Whilst back on duty on 11 June 2004, Pte Beharry was again driving the lead Warrior vehicle of his platoon through Al Amarah when this vehicle was ambushed. A rocket propelled grenade hit the vehicle and Pte Beharry received serious head injuries. Other rockets hit the vehicle incapacitating his commander and injuring several of the crew. Despite his very serious injuries, from which he is still recovering, Pte Beharry showed great strength of character, taking control of his vehicle and driving it out of the ambush area before losing consciousness.
Solomon Islands
These stamps were issued on the 26th June 2006
The blue background stamps on the left illustrate the history of the VC - The gun from which they are made, the first to gain the medal and Queen Victoria presenting the first batch of medals. On the right are stamps which depict the VC winners awarded the medal for action in the Solomon Islands.
Many people collect "First Day Covers" which are specially created envelopes containing the stamps and some sort of appropriate illustration. These envelopes are posted and hence franked on the first day of issue for the stamps. Often special hand stamps are used in order that the stamp is less obliterated by the franking. Many VC first day covers have been signed by a medal winner which makes them even more valuable. Here are two examples and there are many more on the "First Day Covers" "First Day Covers" page
Victoria Cross First Day Cover showing Sgt A.J. Knight of the London Regiment - The Post Office Rifles, who won his VC in Ypres on 20th September 1917. This cover has the VC but not the stamps.
This first day cover has been signed by Lt. Col. Eric Wilson VC and it has the VC stamp and two others.
