Royals pay tribute to Victoria Cross and George Cross heroes
The heroics of the 26 holders of Britain’s highest medals for gallantry, the Victoria Cross and George Cross make them part of an elite club – and this week its members were honoured by the association’s president, the Prince of Wales, along with his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Among those invited to a royal reception at St James’s Palace in London were Lance-Corporal Johnson Beharry, decorated for twice saving members of his unit from ambushes in Iraq four years ago, and Margaret Purves, who rescued a boy scout and his leader from the sea aged 14 in 1949.
Also among the day’s heroes were Henry Flintoff, who at the age of 13 rescued a farmer from a bull in 1944, and Dr Dick Butson, honoured for a 1947 Antarctic rescue operation.
Despite their courage some of Prince Charles’ guests apparently find being in the spotlight at the biennial event a little nervewracking, though.
Arriving with Corporal Willie Apiata VC, a New Zealand SAS man recently recognised for rescuing a comrade under fire in Afghanistan, 29-year-old Johnson joked: "It’s good to have a new boy so he can take some of the pressure off me."
Related posts: