The Unknown Warrior & The Victoria Cross.

I am in the not bothered either way camp, because as the UK and the US have exchanged the highest awards possible for their respective unknown soldiers, they have been equally honoured for their bravery in the battlefield. However, it is fitting, I think, to mark our soldier's centenary in some way. The Remembrance service for him has done that, and if they want to give him some other posthumous award or tribute, I am fine with that, whether it's a VC or not.

 

As the Unknown Soldier represents everyone who served in the Great War and their sacrifice, it seems strange to award him a VC even as a symbolic gesture. Are we going to award everyone a posthumous medal for gallantry?

 

I think it would be unfair and wrong to all the other unknown casualties now ploughed into the Western Front earth with no known grave or unknown casualties farther afield in earth and sea.Also for all the casualties who fought and died in that conflict.
The modern world gives the engage brain at a later date folk a field day with stuff like this.

Why should this particular casualty be awarded the VC when there are hundreds of thousands of families who suffered and still suffer to this day with their loss and an unknown resting place of a loved one.

The Unknown Warrior should stay as an Unknown Warrior without medal symbols.

The next thing will be a suggestion that a DNA sample be taken to try to identify the body

"The VC was instituted by Royal Warrant on 29 January 1856 to acknowledge the bravery displayed by many soldiers and sailors during the Crimean War (1854-56). Unlike its predecessors, the new award was open to all ranks and would only be presented for acts of supreme gallantry in the face of the enemy."
The Victoria Cross | National Army Museum.

 

I'm a "no" on this and have voted above as such.

Whilst not demeaning the sacrifice (of life) of the unknown warrior I am of a mind that any award now may be demeaning to the previous recipients of the Victoria Cross.

Any possible "symbolic" award of this nature, of this gallantry award, would I feel be inappropriate.

Kind regards, always remember, never forget,

Jim.

 

I'm currently a "not bothered", but am veering towards a "no". Jim sums up my feelings on "symbolic" gallantry awards very neatly. I'm not uninterested, far from it - two of my grandfather's brothers were KIA in that war, neither has a known grave and neither were decorated for gallantry; my wife's grandfather was killed at Anzio and also has no grave.

If the Unknown Soldier was to have a VC it should have been discussed and awarded, if awarded at all, by his own generation.

Cheers, Pat.

 

I'd say "Yes and no" - for multiple reasons but I wouldn't say "not bothered".

Great grandfather - Threipal Monument -
Casualty Details | CWGC

Where would they put the VC and what would the citation say?



Edit: I suppose this could be indicative of how such an award might be handled: Award of the George Cross to Malta - Wikipedia

 

It's a no from me. The Unknown Warrior commemorates many thousands of ordinary soldiers, while a VC is traditionally for an individual undertaking a specific act of bravery (I'm aware there were exceptions). It also wouldn't sit well with me as I'd see it as a VC award for all the fallen while the survivors receive no further recognition.

 

No . A simple no . The least simple question would be : “ why ? “ what next ? An unknown WW2 soldier ? An airman ? A WW1 sailor ? Where do you stop ? Look at the farce of the US unknown Vietnam serviceman . Err no. And his ID card was recovered with his remains at the very start

 

This is already on the inscription, and it always makes me emotional:

They buried him among the kings because he
Had done good toward God and toward
His house

I do not believe there is a higher honour than to be buried in Westminster Abbey amongst Royalty and other great men and women of the country. In my opinion this makes the VC irrelevant, whether it is awarded or not.

 

Spot on the cost St Pauls £17 and The Abbey £18
I roamed down there when times were norm to take memorials but thought better of it when i saw the wedge numbers, and another place is Highgate cem one side £4 (which I paid ) and the other side access only via a tourist guide for a few bob.

 

You can “ pray “ for free . The entrance “ robbery “ is scandalous

 

yep just noticed that so might give that a crack

 

Worked for me ! Bless you my son etc

 

News to me that an entrance fee is charged for visiting a cemetery. How bizarre.

 

yep unfortunately

The East Cemetery is where Karl Marx is buried. Visitors may roam freely on this side, but there is an entrance charge.
Admission to the West Cemetery is normally by guided tour only, but we're trialling open access to cope with social distancing. Admission is by timed ticket. For further information and to book, see Visit > West Cemetery
Please remember to allow sufficient time to visit the East Cemetery (which is included in the price) if your tour is late in the day.
Highgate Cemetery