Victoria Cross Heroes

Victoria Cross Heroes is a three-part television UK docudrama recipients first broadcast by Channel 5 in 2006 that tells the stories of some of the recipients of the Victoria Cross.

Victoria Cross Heroes
GenreDocudrama
Written by
  • Nicholas White
  • Steven Clarke
  • Mary McMurray
Directed by
  • Nicholas White
  • Steven Clarke
  • Mary McMurray
Presented byCharles, Prince of Wales
Starring
Voices ofCrispin Bonham-Carter
Narrated byKenneth Cranham
ComposerTom Escott
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes3
Production
Executive producers
  • Peter Georgi
  • Mark Souster
ProducerSteven Clarke
Running time60 minutes
Release
Original networkFive
Original release19 November (2006-11-19) 
3 December 2006 (2006-12-03)

Production

The series was commissioned to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross in 2006.

It was produced in association with Lord Ashcroft and the Ashcroft VC Collection, which is the largest collection of its kind in the world.

Former British soldier and noted military historian Richard Holmes acted as historical advisor to the series.

Episodes

Episode one: The Modern Age

The Prince of Wales introduces the stories of some of the servicemen who have been awarded the Victoria Cross through the 60 years from World War II to the Iraq War, including the most recent recipient, Private Johnson Beharry.

Performers

  • Crispin Bonham-Carter as Voice of the Gazette
  • Peter Ormond as Pat Brophy
  • Andy Pilgrim as Andrew Mynarski
  • Tom Hiddleston as John Randle
  • Martin Delaney as Ian Fraser
  • Rob William as James Magennis
  • Frank McCusker as Voice of James Magennis
  • Yo Santhaveesuk as Rambahadur Limbu
  • Andrew Josh as Machine Gunner
  • Alex Liang as Machine Gunner
  • David Seymour as Ian McKay
  • James Hayward as Lt. Bickerdyke

Participants

Episode 2: The Great War

Charles, Prince of Wales, introduces the stories of some of the servicemen who were awarded the Victoria Cross during World War I when over 630, nearly half of all the awards ever given, were earned.

Performers

  • Crispin Bonham-Carter as Voice of the Gazette
  • Felix Scott as Sid Godley
  • Ifan Meredith as Noel Chavasse
  • Tony Bignell as Jack Cornwell
  • William de Coverly as Jackie Smyth
  • Mackenzie Scott as Albert Jacka
  • Gino Fiorellino as Loftus Jones
  • Tom Davey as William Leefe-Robinson
  • Anthony English as Stretcher Bearer
  • Steven Shapland as Chaplain
  • Jeremy Gardiner as Doctor

Participants

  • Richard Holmes, CBE, TD, JP (Historian)
  • Michael Naxton (Curator, The Ashcroft VC Collection)

Episode 3: The Empire

The Prince of Wales, introduces the stories of some of the servicemen who have were awarded the Victoria Cross during the early years from its introduction by Queen Victoria during the Crimean War as a democratic award open to all soldiers for extreme acts of bravery to the Boer War when it had been recognised as the most famous gallantry award in the world.

Performers

  • Phil Lowes as Lt. Freddie Roberts
  • Alan Larsen as Cpt. Harry Schofield
  • Mark Selwood as Cpl Nurse
  • David Bark-Jones as Peel
  • Dominic Borrelli as Hook
  • Roderic Culver as Chard
  • Simon Delaney as Hitch
  • Jamie Piggott as Daniel
  • Chris Rankin as Wood

Participants

  • Richard Holmes, CBE, TD, JP (Historian)
  • Michael Naxton (Curator, The Ashcroft VC Collection)

Companion book

The 2006 companion book to the series written Lord Ashcroft tells the stories of over 150 VC winners individuals whose medals are in his collection and those whose stories feature in the television series with each chapter covering on a different conflict.

Selected editions

  • Ashcroft, Michael (6 November 2006). Victoria Cross Heroes: Men of Valour. Headline Book Publishing (hardcover). ISBN 978-0-7553-1632-8.
  • Ashcroft, Michael (3 May 2007). Victoria Cross Heroes: Men of Valour. Headline Review (paperback). ISBN 978-0-7553-1633-5.

References

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