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Following the enormous public interest in the Crimean War, Queen Victoria decided to create a new medal to recognise the heroes of the realm. Awarded specifically for ‘valour in the face of the enemy’, Queen Victoria herself came up with the words “For Valour” that are inscribed on the award.

As the award itself was always given to honour bravery itself, and was in no way designed to glorify war, the stamps deliberately focus on the recipients. Chosen from a cross section of different services and campaigns, the stamps feature six of the brave soldiers.

Issued in se-tenant pairs, behind each awardee is an account of their act of heroism, together with the dates the awards were made. The actual Victoria Cross is also displayed, in two cases showing the ‘bar’, which indicates the recipient had been awarded the Victoria Cross twice.

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