Beyond Brave: The First Ever Recipient Of The Victoria Cross

The first Victoria Cross was awarded for actions during the Crimean War on June 21, 1854. An excerpt from the article:

"The scene was one of mass panic, with orders being screamed out to run and hit the deck, which everyone on board was doing – everyone except for Charles Lucas. He sprinted over to the shell, picked it up, and dumped it overboard, where it exploded in the ocean a mere second later, sending up a tremendous shower of water but injuring nobody.

With this immensely brave act, Lucas saved many men from death and maiming. He was immediately promoted to lieutenant as a result of his gallantry, and his act of valor was widely reported on in the British press.

Due to this bold act of courage, Lucas also went on be the first man to ever be awarded the Victoria Cross. However, he was not the first to physically receive it, for he was standing fourth in line when Queen Victoria was handing out the medals on June 26, 1857."