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10 Question World Quiz: The Victoria Cross | Military Matters

Ten questions on the Victoria Cross, the highest medal for British and Commonwealth forces.

A multiple-choice quiz by deathwalker. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
deathwalker

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
247,773

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1417

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What inscription is on the Victoria Cross? Hint

For Valour

For Heroism

For Bravery

For Distinction

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Question 2 of 10

2. What colour is the medal's ribbon ? Hint

Crimson

Green

Blue

Orange

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Question 3 of 10

3. What year was the Victoria Cross created? Hint

1878

1899

1815

1856

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Question 4 of 10

4. By the end of 2006 how many Victoria Crosses had been awarded? Hint

3,111

1,356

642

2,528

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Question 5 of 10

5. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded for what was classified as a single action. Where did this occur? Hint

Arnhem, Holland 1944

Goose Green, Falkland Isles 1982

Rorke's Drift , Natal 1879

Ypres, Belgium 1917

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Question 6 of 10

6. The Swiss are a nation known for peace, but amazingly one Swiss citizen has received the Victoria Cross. What is his name ? Hint

Christian Ferdinand Schiess

Phillipe Werther

Hans-Ulrich Stoereli

Henri Galoisse

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Question 7 of 10

7. What animal can be found on the cross? Hint

Wolf

Tiger

Lion

Panther

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Question 8 of 10

8. In 1921 America's Unknown Soldier from World War I was awarded the Victoria Cross. To reciprocate, what award was given to Britain's Unknown Soldier? Hint

The Star of India

The Congressional Medal

The George Cross

The Medal of Honour

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Question 9 of 10

9. At the relief of Lucknow in India the highest number of medals given during one day of action was on the 16th November 1857. How many were awarded? Hint

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Question 10 of 10

10. How many medals were issued at the first investiture 26 June 1857 ? Hint

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What inscription is on the Victoria Cross?

Answer: For Valour

Originally the inscription was "For Bravery", but it was changed to avoid creating the impression that only holders of the VC were brave. In 1993 Canada established its own Victoria Cross and it has the Latin inscription "Pro Valore".

2. What colour is the medal's ribbon ?

Answer: Crimson

Originaly the Crosses were issued with crimson ribbons for soldiers and dark blue for the navy. This was changed in 1918, when the Royal Air Force was formed and one ribbon was used for all services.

3. What year was the Victoria Cross created?

Answer: 1856

Though created in 1856 the Victoria Cross award was backdated to allow recognition for two previous years of action in the Crimean War.

4. By the end of 2006 how many Victoria Crosses had been awarded?

Answer: 1,356

Charles Upham, Arthur Martin-Leake and Noel Chavasse are the only three to have received this award twice.

5. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded for what was classified as a single action. Where did this occur?

Answer: Rorke's Drift , Natal 1879

The defence of Rorke's Drift, Natal was commanded by Lieutenant John Rouse Merriott Chard and Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead. 139 men held the mission station against aproximately 4,000 Zulus until relieved by Lord Chelmsford. Amazingly, the British casualties were only 15 dead.

6. The Swiss are a nation known for peace, but amazingly one Swiss citizen has received the Victoria Cross. What is his name ?

Answer: Christian Ferdinand Schiess

Aged 22 at the time, Corporal Schiess was a member of the Natal Native Contingent serving in South Africa during the Zulu War. His medal was awarded for actions at Rorke's Drift.

7. What animal can be found on the cross?

Answer: Lion

The medal in its center has a crown surmounted by a lion.

8. In 1921 America's Unknown Soldier from World War I was awarded the Victoria Cross. To reciprocate, what award was given to Britain's Unknown Soldier?

Answer: The Medal of Honour

Both awards were made as a mark of respect for the lives lost during the Great War.

9. At the relief of Lucknow in India the highest number of medals given during one day of action was on the 16th November 1857. How many were awarded?

Answer: 24

During the Indian Mutiny Lucknow was besieged for five months from May 30th until November 27th 1857. Lucknow was evacuated shortly after the heroic defence.
Medals were awarded to British defenders and also to relief troops classifying this as a dual action.

10. How many medals were issued at the first investiture 26 June 1857 ?

Answer: 62

Queen Victoria insisted on presenting the medals herself. She had taken a keen interest throughout the procedure of creating the new medal bearing her name.

Source: Author deathwalker

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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