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GEORGE HOUSMAN THOMAS (1824-68)
Queen Victoria distributing the first Victoria Crosses seen close up
drawn Jun 1857RCIN 916806
In 1856 Queen Victoria instituted the Victoria Cross to recognise conspicuous bravery throughout all ranks of the armed forces. The first ceremony to distribute the crosses was held in Hyde Park in June 1857. Queen Victoria can be seen here on horseback, fastening the decoration on the jacket of Captain of the Mast George Henry Ingouville, who won the Victoria Cross for operations in the Baltic Campaign in 1855.
