For Valour

More about the book

Since its inception in 1856, the Victoria Cross - which takes precedence over all other awards, decorations and honours within the British Commonwealth- has been awarded on 1,350 occasions. Of these, just 51 have been conferred on airmen. Here, for the first time, are the complete and accurate biographies of each of those 51 men. Though primarily regarded as a British honour, of those 51 airmen, 16 were not British-born; coming from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africans and Eire willingly to pledge their lives in Britain's cause during the two major wars of this century. Resulting from several decades of private research on an international scale, and profusely illustrated, this book has undoubtedly become the standard reference work on the subject of the air VCs. It also provides a lasting record of their lives and astonishing courage - a permanent tribute to every airman ever awarded a Victoria Corss.