In the beginning, The Cove Team were sceptical about the value of reiterating the stories of our VC winners, as the information is already widely available and in much greater detail than what we provide. However, we are glad we did. Reading the VC recipients' stories is a humbling experience. To be reminded of their courage is a privilege and we believe that all soldiers and junior leaders can draw upon their experiences to learn combat behaviours, defence values and foster esprit de corps.

While reciting history itself may not have a lot of impact; it's what you take away from the lessons of the past that has the most value. We encourage you to reflect on history and learn through the lessons of others. 

In summary, 96 Australians have been awarded the Victoria Cross, and five were awarded the Victoria Cross of Australia. Read more about the history and difference between the two honours

Australians have been awarded the Victoria Cross across the following conflicts:

  • 6 in the Boer War 1899-1902
  • 64 in World War I 1914-1918 (nine at Gallipoli)
  • 2 in North Russia 1919
  • 20 in World War II 1939-1945
  • 4 in Vietnam 1962-1972
  • 4 in Afghanistan 2001-2013

Australian soldiers were awarded nine Victoria Crosses at Gallipoli, including seven during the Battle of Lone Pine (06–09 August 1915).

A quick summary of all of the recipients are available below:

  1. Charles Anderson
  2. Thomas Axford
  3. Peter Badcoe
  4. Cameron Baird
  5. Robert Beatham
  6. Frederick Bell
  7. Frederick Birks
  8. John Bisdee
  9. Arthur Blackburn
  10. Albert Borella
  11. Walter Brown
  12. Alexander Buckley
  13. Maurice Buckley
  14. Patrick Bugden
  15. Alexander Burton
  16. John Carroll
  17. George Cartwright
  18. Claud Castleton
  19. Percy Cherry
  20. Albert Chowne
  21. Thomas Cooke
  22. William Currey
  23. Arthur Roden-Cutler
  24. Henry Dalziel
  25. Wilbur Dartnell
  26. Phillip Davey
  27. Tom Derrick
  28. Mark Donaldson
  29. William Dunstan
  30. John Dwyer
  31. John Edmondson
  32. Hughie Edwards
  33. Jack French
  34. Alfred Gaby
  1. Bernard Gordon
  2. Jim Gordon
  3. Percy Gratwick
  4. Robert Grieve
  5. Stan Gurney
  6. Arthur Hall
  7. John Hamilton
  8. George Howell
  9. Neville Howse
  10. George Ingram
  11. Roy Inwood
  12. Albert Jacka
  13. William Jackson
  14. Clarence Jeffries
  15. Jorgen Jensen
  16. William Joynt
  17. Daniel Keighran
  18. Richard Kelliher
  19. Edward Kenna
  20. Bede Kenny
  21. Leonard Keysor
  22. Bill Kibby
  23. Bruce Kingsbury
  24. John Leak
  25. Alby Lowerson
  26. Jack Mackey
  27. Robert MacTier
  28. Joseph Maxwell
  29. Leslie Maygar
  30. Dominic McCarthy
  31. Stanley McDougall
  32. Lewis McGee
  33. Frank McNamara
  34. Ron Middleton
  1. Mick Moon
  2. Harry Murray
  3. James Newland
  4. Bill Newton
  5. Martin O'Meara
  6. Frank Partridge
  7. Keith Payne
  8. Samuel Pearse
  9. Walter Peeler
  10. Charles Pope
  11. Reg Rattey
  12. Ben Roberts-Smith
  13. James Rogers
  14. William Ruthven
  15. John Ryan
  16. Clifford Sadlier
  17. Teddy Sheean
  18. Albert Shout
  19. Ray Simpson
  20. Leslie Starcevich
  21. Percy Statton
  22. Percy Storkey
  23. Arthur Sullivan
  24. William Symons
  25. Hugo Throssell
  26. Edgar Towner
  27. Frederick Tubb
  28. Blair Wark
  29. Lawrence Weathers
  30. Kevin Wheatley
  31. John Whittle
  32. James Woods
  33. Guy Wylly