Medal; Gallantry; Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest award in Britain given ‘for valour in the presence of the enemy’. Queen Victoria first awarded the VC to men who served in the Crimean War. The medal is still occasionally, but rarely, awarded today. It is made from the metal of antique bronze gun barrels. This VC was awarded to Corporal James Huntley Knight during the South African War. James and four Mounted Infantry men were guarding a detachment of troops. They held off an attack by about 50 Boers, until the detachment could reach a safer position. Two of Knight’s men were wounded. He left one in safety and carried the other for nearly two miles.