On this day in 1856

[William Douglas]

On the 29th January in 1856, the Victoria Cross was instituted by H.M. Queen Victoria. The medal is the highest award for bravery that a British and Commonwealth serviceman can be presented. At the time of its institution it was written that the medal could only be given for “gallantry of the highest order”.

To date, 1,356 Victoria Crosses have been awarded and over 160 of those were to soldiers serving in Scottish Regiments.

Three Douglases have been awarded the VC - http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/articles/Victoria_Cross.html ;