Specimen Victoria Cross Medal Approved by Queen Victoria
The actual specimen Victoria Cross medal that was approved by Queen Victoria in the nineteenth century. Instituted by Queen Victoria to cover all actions since the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1854, the Victoria Cross has been awarded 1356 times and 3 bars have been awarded. The most recent recipient of the VC is Corporal Bryan Budd, of the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, who was posthumously awarded the VC for acts of 'inspirational leadership and the greatest valour' in Southern…
Order of Saint Michael. The Order was a French chivalric order, founded by Louis XI of France on 1 August 1469. Although the Order of St. Michael was abolished by Louis XVI on 20 June 1790, it was revived by Louis XVIII on 16 November 1816. The king however, took little interest in the order and no new knights were added after 1816. The Order was again abolished by the French authorities in 1830. The Order's last member died in 1850.
Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire