1856 - Queen Victoria signed a Royal Decree instituting and creating the Victoria Cross. The Victoria Cross was established to recognise valour in the Crimean War. ‘The Queen has been pleased, by an instrument under Her Royal Sign Manual, of which the following is a copy, to institute and create a new Naval and Military Decoration, to be styled and designated “The Victoria Cross"’ (London Gazette). The VC can be awarded to anyone in the British armed forces, regardless of rank. It also can be awarded posthumously. Recipients can add "V.C." after their name. It has been awarded 1,358 times since its creation.