Lions and donkeys
From Sir Simon Day
Sir: I was most interested by the article by Lord Ashcroft to mark the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross (‘Conspicuous bravery celebrated’, 22 April), as I too have had a lifelong fascination with this great award.
I well remember, as a National Service naval rating serving in HMS Theseus, flagship of the Training Squadron, being inspected by Captain Anthony (Crap) Miers (later Rear-Admiral) — who had been awarded the VC for outstanding bravery for entering Corfu harbour in a submarine and destroying a couple of Italian supply ships — and being mesmerised by that magnificent symbol of bravery pinned to his chest.
In the Zulu wars, not only were 11 VCs awarded at Rorke’s Drift, but three more (two posthumously) were given at Isandlwana and Fugitive’s Drift. It has been suggested that this proliferation of awards, though undoubtedly deserved, was facilitated by the guilt of Disraeli’s government, which eventually fell due to the total incompetence of those in charge of the civil administration, such as Sir Bartle Frere, and the army, led by Lord Chelmsford.
Sir Simon Day Ivybridge, Devon
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