Victoria Cross and George Cross Association
The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association is made up of holders of the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest military award for bravery in the field, and the George Cross, the equivalent award for civilians and military personnel who have displayed conspicuous bravery not in the face of the enemy.
Holders of these awards receive a civil pension and attend reunions which receive much coverage in the national press. Membership is dwindling due to the increasing age of the VCs and GCs and the tendency until recently of the government to award these medals posthumously.
Canon William Lummis MC was the Chaplain to the Association owing to his extensive research into the VC.
Officers of the VC and GC Association
Patron
- HM Queen Elizabeth II, 1957–Present.
President
- Lieutenant colonel Rt. Hon. Sir Winston Churchill KG OM CH TD DL FRS RA, 1959-1965.
- Brigadier Rt. Hon. Sir John Smyth VC, Bt, MC, PC, 1965-1983.
- HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, 1983-2002.
- HRH Prince of Wales 2003–Present.
Vice President
- Major Rt. Hon. Viscount De L'Isle VC, KG, GCMG, GCVO, KStJ, PC, 1983-1991.
- Lieutenant Sir Roden Cutler VC, AK, KCMG, KCVO, CBE, 1991-2002.
- Major Rt. Hon. Sir Tasker Watkins VC GBE Kt KStJ PC QC DL 2002-2007.
Chairman
- Brigadier Rt. Hon. Sir John Smyth VC, Bt, MC, PC, 1957-1971.
- Rear Admiral Godfrey Place VC, CB, CVO, DSC, 1971-1994.
- Colonel Stuart Archer GC, OBE, ERD, FRIBA 1994-2006.
- Chief superintendent James Beaton GC, CVO, 2006-2014.
- Major Peter Norton GC, 2014–Present.
Secretary
Chaplain
- Canon William Lummis MC, 1956-1985.
See also
- Official Victoria Cross & George Cross Association website
- The Victoria Cross and George Cross Reunions
- List of living Victoria Cross recipients
- List of living George Cross recipients
- Gallantry Medallists' League