First Aussie soldier in 40 years gets VC

[herakles]

From The Age:


An Australian soldier, Trooper Mark Donaldson, has been awarded a Victoria Cross for gallantry in Afghanistan - the first to be awarded in more than 40 years.

Trooper Donaldson receives the award for his rescue of a coalition forces interpreter from heavy fire in Oruzgan Province in Afghanistan.

The award for exceptional bravery is the 96th Victoria Cross to be conferred on an Australian soldier.

(There isn't much information yet, is there? For instance I know nothing as to who awarded it)

[herakles]

Now I know that this is the Australian VC.

With the issuing of letters patent by the Queen of Australia, on 15 January 1991, Australia became the first Commonwealth Realm to institute a separate Victoria Cross award in its own honours system. Although it is a separate award, the Victoria Cross for Australia's appearance is identical to its British counterpart.

"It is a story of a hero, one which will be told in classrooms, workplaces and watering holes for many years to come."

"As the battle raged around him he saw that the coalition force interpreter was lying motionless on exposed ground," the governor-general's official secretary Stephen Brady told the gathering."


"With complete disregard for his own safety on his own initiative and alone, Trooper Donaldson ran back 80 metres across exposed ground to rescue the interpreter and carry him back to a vehicle."



"Trooper Donaldson then rejoined his patrol and then continued to engage the enemy while remaining exposed to heavy enemy fire."

[astraltrader]

But then one assumes that the Australian VC is not made from the same source metal as the British one??

[herakles]

I've tried to check out the metal source.

On the one hand I found this: "There has been no official announcement as to source of the metal for the Victoria Cross for Australia."

But then I found this: "Both the Australian and New Zealand Victoria Crosses are to be made from the same gunmetal as the originals."

I also read of the work of historian John Glanfield who has proven, through the use of X-rays of older Victoria Crosses, that the metal used for the Victoria Crosses is in fact from antique Chinese guns, and not of Russian origin.

As I understand the matter, it seems there is enough source metal for Hancocks of London to make another 80 odd medals.

[astraltrader]

Interesting - thanks for the heads up on that Richard.