My neighbour's great grandfather won a VC for his actions in 1918. He returned home and, when the time came, re-elisted again for WWII and retired a major after the war. He died in 1972 and is one of New Zealand's most decorated officers. The medal itself is so small in many respects but what it represents is enormous. I was lucky enough to actually hold his medal, many years ago now, when the family looked after it briefly before it went on display at the Army museum in Waiuru. There is nothing to compare to actually seeing, let alone having the privilege of holding, a VC knowing just what was done to win it. RIP Reginald Judson. New Zealand Army.
I edited the Jeremy Clarkson film. It was probably the most satisfying film I’ve ever worked on. So much fascinating footage and a very small team put it together, I remember cutting all those sequences very clearly . It’s very rewarding to see it still provoking thought and being well received, thanks.
Mr Hey, you are right to feel proud of this. A great piece of work by all concerned. There are so many great tales behind all these medals it must have been a real struggle to decide which stories NOT to include.
I thought it was rather bizarre, the way it was framed and omitted so many VCs. Talked as if the VC was a UK medal, while talking about the British Empire. Seemed more like a pommie ego trip framed as history.
I'm an old British Army veteran. I like the way you pause and gather your thoughts before saying something and continuing. Very respectful and well done sir.
The story of Lachimann Gurung gives me goosebumps every time I read it. If there ever was a human who was simply 'built different', he was. Clarkson doesn't really do his story justice in this. Tasked with defending a machine gun post with a few soldiers as 200 enemies attack, cut-off from reinforcements and having a grenade blow off your hand and injure your body and also blinded in one eye, to still have the wherewithal to calmly load a rifle one-handed (his non-dominant hand). At one point, he thrust his kukri (knife) into the ground and screamed "Come and fight a Gurkha!" into the night. Left all alone, with no resources, no right hand, no backup, no artillery support. Just one man and his rifle against a battalion of Japanese soldiers. When the dust settled, he emerged having killed at least 31 (there's no way of really knowing). Imagine being a Japanese soldier thinking you've got one enemy left and you take a strategic position and a small, already mortally wounded Burmese man *literally* single-handedly decimates your entire battalion, occasionally screaming "COME AND FIGHT ME" into the darkness. He would lose his right eye and the use of his right hand but stayed on to serve with the Gurkhas after WW2, later moving to London and living out the rest of his life in peace. Quite simply, one of the most badass human beings to ever live. It's like, how has that not been made into a film? It almost sounds as it something a Hollywood producer would dream of.
Gurkhas are the most badass soldiers around. I've had the pleasure of meeting some of them. The most kind humble people you will ever meet. The perfect soldier. Will always have the upmost respect for them. ❤️🙏
You know what the G in Gurkha stands for? It stands for GTFO or else you will face a shit storm the likes that one could not imagine. And Lachimann Gurung was the very finest they had to offer
This I do believe to be one of the most amazing things I've ever reacted to. The stories told are just awe inspiring. I took utmost care to show immense respect to the stories being told within the video. I came away with a deeper respect and thirst for hearing more of the stories of those awarded the VC. Please remember, I'm American, I will make comparison or correlation to what I know and I know this medal is awarded, not won as I stated and tried to clarify within the video. Please overlook my shortcomings in the manner of speech I can have at times to hear these remarkable stories.
There are only 3 men who have won the VC twice, two in the First World War and one in the Second World War. Surgeon Captain Arthur Martin-Leake, Captain Noel Cavasse and Captain Charles Upham. Another WW2 achievement you might like to find out about, although not related to the VC, is The Dambusters. They used bouncing bombs to destroy 3 dams on the Ruhr in Germany. ruclips.net/video/DZGkTX445o0/видео.html
As a side note, since this documentary was made there have been a further 4 VC’s awarded, 1 in Iraq (Johnson Beharry, Princess of Wales Royal Regiment), and 3 in Afghanistan (Bryan Budd, Joshua Leaky, Parachute Regiment, and James Ashworth, Grenadier Guards), all 4 are incredible stories and uphold the tradition of the Victory Cross of beating almost impossible odds and totally selfless.
Also four more in Australia and one in New Zealand, which have issued their own versions of the VC since 1991. Canada also switched to issuing its own series of VC in 1993 but none have yet been issued.
Its also worth considering some of the George crosses awarded since, As much of the time British troops were in Iraq nobody was actually eligible for a VC as the VC can only be won when under "enemy fire". For much of the time British troops were in Iraq nobody was actually shooting at them, The example being Major Peter Allen Norton. GC who won his gallantry award refusing treatment for wounds suffered in an IED blast because he suspected more devices were present and wasn't going to leave until he was sure everyone in the area was also safe from further blasts. Or the medal was awarded for a blue on blue incident, as was the case for Christopher Finney, GC who its believed was actually nominated for a VC but because his scimitar came under fire from a pair of American A-10's rather than enemy aircraft his returning to the vehicle multiple times to rescue his fellow crewmen despite having been hit in the back and legs by an A-10, while not knowing if the aircraft were going to come back for another pass. Fun fact Finney is now Chairman of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.
I've looked into it and apparently several people have been credited with that quote including Mark Twain Oprah Winfrey General "stormin Norman Schwartzkopf.
I heard it years ago while serving in the military and its so true, it also goes hand in hand with the other phrase "There is a thin line between Bravery and Stupidity"
There is also stupid 'bravery' - like trying to save someone without thinking first. I nearly did that years ago while hiking in the mountains. A guy I had only met that day slipped and was falling off a cliff. Without thinking I dived and grabbed him, but was being dragged over with him. Luckily 2 of my friends were close enough to grab my ankles. Everyone said I was brave, but I insisted that I was just an idiot.
Cain, along with all VC winners are exceptional individuals. I served with the 2nd Bn Parachute Regt (2Para) in the South Atlantic (Falklands campaign), 1982. There were many in my company who (I considered) worthy of honours, but were seemingly unrecognised. I didn't see the end of this conflict - I was blown up, losing both lower limbs - but for P company mentality, considered this was nothing compared to those who gave their lives. Personally lost 6 friends in that fight; out of 251 British lost in total, that's quite a percentage - I'll never forget the fallen, as long as I draw breath. Of course, if you consider the millions lost in the First & Second World Wars - as well as Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf ( I & II) wars, it might seem to pale into insignificance - that is not so. Grateful thanks for your contribution, here - always appreciated. Take care & stay safe, Sir.
My brothers best mate, Neil Grose (3 Para), fought at Mt Longdon and never came home. I remember young men like Neil and their Gallantry under fire. I would like to thank every single armed forces member for their service and welcoming persons like me in to their ranks.
It was so great to see an American revisiting this topic. I was blown away by your genuine reverence and humble appreciation of these extraordinary men. It was refreshing to see your approach in covering the British sacrifices during WW2 instead of the usual U.S "we won the war" mentality. I was delighted and humbled by your humility my friend and enjoyed this episode immensely, Thank you.
Yep, very true. The eyes are the windows to the soul, so they say, and EBs eyes at various points, especially toward the end showed s very caring, respecting honourable Chap who, along with many of us I am sure, was incredibly moved by the takes of true heroism that came out in that video.
I'm in floods of tears watching this. The bravery of these men is so very humbling and yet they don't feel they did anything special - it's awe inspiring.
My Grandfather used to be a hair dresser until he fought at Arnhem, he was in the parachute regiment and landed in a glider. He was shot in the knee, made deaf by gunshots /explosions and then had to swim across the rhine despite the injuries. He kept a small museum of arhem artefacts for the rest of his life and went back every year to see the dutch people. going back one last time after his death so he could be buried with his comrades in arms in oosterbeek cemetery
As an Englishman I just wanted to say that your respect for these stories is very much appreciated, it seems you are going in these with an open mind, as we know different countries get taught different versions of history so often what we think we know is true turns out to be totally different. Thank you, I wish more contributors showed the same fairness you do.
I really loved this.My dads brother..my uncle served in the 1st Airborne Division Parachute Regiment in WW2...He was at Arhem in Holland ..and he was one of the few who made it back..We are all incredibly proud of him..he served for the whole of the war..He has many medals.."The Star of Arnhem" was a medal close to him..he lost so many friends there ..My uncle died last year aged 96..He lived a full and happy life and all the family adored him...Our own hero
My grandad was there too. Unfortunately, he never really spoke of it to anyone and he was suffering from alzheimer's by the time I was old enough to appreciate the situation. So I was never able to ask him about his experiences.
This documentary and Clarksons other one 'the greatest raid of all' are The best stories I've ever watched ❤ so happy to see you react to this fabulous story x
Although not actually a requirement even the Chiefs Of Staff will salute any rank including Privates etc. who has the VC. That's the level of respect it commands
There is a big difference between the V,C and the congressional medal of honor, since its inception over 900 medals of honor have been rescinded (mostly through doubt cast over the validity of the actions of the recipient) but not a single V,C has ever been rescinded, what Clarkson said at the beginning is absolutely true, once you've got one no one can take it away, initially there were circumstances in which you would forfeit the medal but this was stopped by the opinion of king George V "The King feels so strongly that, no matter the crime committed by anyone on whom the VC has been conferred, the decoration should not be forfeited. Even were a VC to be sentenced to be hanged for murder, he should be allowed to wear his VC at the gallows".
@@whovianhistorybuff I've given a similar reply below, I just couldn't remember which King it was, but a few were rescinded before his time. I recall that it was also King George that made the VC awardable post-humously.
Actually, it is required in QR (unless the Chief of Staff also holds a VC) as a VC has seniority over all ranks when saluting. Queen & HRHs only ones with higher seniority.
When my Dad was doing his national service in the 50's, the postman who delivered the mail to Woolwich Arsenal was a Victoria Cross recipient from the Second World War. The guard would turn out and salute him when he arrived. Every day.
This was 1 hour 26 minutes and 5 seconds well spent. Very humbling to hear of this truly unreal level of bravery and all brilliantly presented by Clarkson and equally brilliantly and respectfully reacted to by you 👍🏻
1:02:27 I feel like I should add, that it isn't quite up to date. The 11 only include VCs including the Falklands War. There are 4 more, 1 from Iraq 2004 and 3 from Afghanistan, 2006, 2012 and 2013. 2 of them, the 2006 and 2012 recipients, received it posthumously. So you could say, while the chances to receive one have gone down dramatically, the chances to survive it. For all 15 VCs since WW2, 8 have died obtaining it, 7 survived. Considering the overall 1 in 10 chances, ~50% survival is a massive improvement
one kiwi soldier won the vc twice, when the second one was awarded the king was reluctant to give someone a second vc considering he never died, and asked his commanding officer did he really deserve it, his CO said he probably should get another half dozen
Only 3 people won two VC's. two won their second one in WW1, Charles Upham one his in WW2 and was the only combat soldier to win 2 (the other two winners were medical officers). Read the article on Charles Upham 'Badass of the week' amazing reading of an incredible humble man.
Just following on from that documentary, as many Commonwealth countries move to more independent positions on military matters new Zealand, no doubt among others, has reviewed it's honours system, the Victoria Cross is still available to our troops but is now the Victoria Cross of new Zealand and is awarded by the NZ govt.
The Officer in question was Major General Howard Kippenberger, I live just around the corner from where he lived before the War. Charles Upham should have been award another one for his actions during the breakout from Minqar Qaim in Libya. I have the book Mark of a Lion, the biography of Charles Upham, I also have a book on the breakout from Minqar Qaim, in which the Germans complained bitterly about the actions of the New Zealanders during the breakout, Geobbels himself complained that the Kiwis fought like Bolsheviks who'd drank too much vodka.
So, the video was produced in 2003. Since then, there have been 4 VCs awarded - Pte Johnson Beharry, Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (2004, Al-Amarah, Iraq); Cpl Bryan Budd, Parachute Regiment (2006, Helmand Province, Afghanistan); L/Cpl James Ashworth, Grenadier Guards (2012, Nahari Saraj District, Afghanistan); L/Cpl Joshua Leakey (2013, Helmand Province, Afghanistan). The awards to Cpl Budd and L/Cpl Ashworth were both postumous.
@@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t it's still the same gallantry award, eligible to any commonwealth solider, sailor or airman, from that same lump of metal, awarded by the crown. Thats like saying only British one's are genuine and they only count. All are equally worthy of praise and acknowledgment.
@@mrh678 No, it's not available to any Commonwealth soldier. India remains a member of the Commonwealth, but their highest gallantry award is the Param Vir Chakra. Indian soldiers are not eligible for any flavour of the Victoria Cross (and there are 4; the Victoria Cross for Australia, the Victoia Cross for New Zealand, the Victoria Cross (Canada) and the plain old Victoria Cross), because - like Australia - they operate their own honours system.
Beard, you have to mention a man dear to my heart and my city of Liverpool. His name is Noel Chevasse. One of only 3 men to ever win 2 victoria crosses and the highest decorated soldier in british history. Were talking about the first world war. He wasn't from my city of Liverpool, but was a doctor and medical officer with the Liverpool Scottish regiment. He continually went into no mans land under fire, to rescue the injured or dead. After being seriously injured in the battle of Guillemont , he recovered from his injuries and continued going out into no mans land to recover the injured. He sadly died in the early stage of the battle of Passchendaele in August 1917, to gain a second Victoria Cross, and to become the most highly decorated British officer of the first world war. I' m 65 years old and we learnt about this in school. Many pubs still have photgraphs of this man upon their wall. We have in my city, a small park in Liverpool city centre called Chavasse Park and a statue of the man in Liverpool's university south quarter, in Abercromby Square. If you ask all of the young people or students who walk past the statue, I guarantee none of them will know who he is, or even care. They will be more interested in the Kardashians. This is sad.
"It can never be taken away. You can go to the gallows wearing it. And no matter how many letters you have after your name, VC always comes first." That just says something about being a VC winner.
My friend is a British soldier. He went to Iraq. He came back. Everything about him changed. He really was a lovely, funny guy. (I thought he'd be a comedian) He came back quiet and sullen. I talked with him, he told his story. I will not tell you his story. It is his story, not my story to tell. Only his friends/family know his name. I will remember my friend's name, face, everything about him for as long as I live. The bravest man I have ever met. I can't give him The Victoria Cross. I can't give him a medal but I can give him my love and respect. He taught me not to hate anyone. "Hate is useless," He told me.
@@atlasjames3324 Thank you for a lovely compliment. It is much appreciated. I like Eclectic Beard also. He seems down to Earth and the type of chap who is not judgemental. Seems like an all-around nice person.
@@atlasjames3324 My friend is fine now and is still in service. He has raised in the ranks and has gained a lot of respect from his fellow soldiers. He's just one of those people who attract others to them. Charisma? He doesn't demand respect. He earned it. I'm sure he is a fine soldier. I'm not in military service...So I haven't served with him...But if I ever had to serve, it would be an honour to serve with him.
And the "degree of self-perservation" is clearly undermined by the fact that he stayed in the air for an hour, with seventy-two wounds, in order to maximise the chances of survival for his crew, whilst vastly lowering his own.
This is the Jeremy Clarkson narrated documentary, he focuses on Major Robert Henry Cain. The reason? Major Cain had a daughter called Frances, she married a TV presenter called Jeremy Ckarkson. This documentary is all about him saying "Look at me my father in law won the VC". The man came back from the war, went back to his job and said nothing about what he did in the war. He died and only then did his daughter find the medal in his personal belongings. Major Robert Cain earned the medal, VC winners are special. You read some of thier citations and you think "He did what????" Another example Gurkha Lachhiman Gurung, he single handedly fought off an attack by 200 Japanese soldiers. He threw back two grenades and picked up a third one and it exploded in his hand and blew his hand off. He then continued to fight with his rifle one handed for over four hours all of thectime shouting at the Japs "Come on, fight a Gurkha!"
In a book on Market Garden I read years ago is this tale - perhaps true,perhaps apocryphal. At Arnhem at a certain point when British forces were holed up in buildings close to the bridge, battered and bloody with nowhere to go the Germans on the other side of the bridge raised a white flag for a truce. One German officer walked across towards the other end of the bridge and a British officer went out to meet him. He asked the German "Can I help you?" The German replied in English, "I have come to discuss a surrender". The British officer replied, "Terribly sorry old chap, cannot help you, as we have no facilities for holding prisoners!" You just have to love the dry British humour at a time like that!
Private Wakenshaw was from my home town. He was awarded the VC for firing his 2 pounder anti tank gun at German tanks. His position was shelled & he lost an arm but kept loading & firing til he was killed. There's a stained glass window in Newcastle Cathedral celebrating his gallantry.
That is pretty amazing. The ones that fight even when others would have given up, especially after losing a limb, before losing their life. Astounding.
Some people are mentioning ‘A bridge to far’ for the events of operation market garden but a better film is ‘Theirs is the glory’ as it is filmed by the very soldiers that that took part in the battle but it’s also filmed a year afterwards so all the destruction is still there. It’s available on RUclips and is just over an hour long. In the film there are NO actors or over dramatised events just soldiers documenting what happened during that battle.
John Frost was one of the Military Advisers on a Bridge too Far. In one scene he said to Anthony Hopkins (who played Frost) “you got that wrong.”. “What did I do wrong there?” “No British officer would duck, let alone run, to avoid enemy fire!”
Charles Hazlitt Upham, was a recipient of the Victoria Cross not once but twice! And the only fighting combatant, That guy was truly extraordinary big shout out to New Zealand!! 😁
Bravo, to the fine people of the 'Land of the Long White Cloud', a warrior people from both Poles live there. Hardy Scots and Hardy Maori. Humble, yet fearsome once roused. God bless them.
@@davidqbs The other two were doctors. Most would argue getting it while not being able to defend yourself is a higher honor, on the flip side Charles is distinguished because he was a combatant and that honor wasn't normally given to combat soldiers. Either way you look at it all three of them are extraordinary.
Theirs a famous saying "British Officers Don't Duck" the British Officer Core has some of the highest casualty rates in the world, and through their bravery and example their inspire their troops to acts of heroism.
In my (worthless) opinion this is your finest reaction yet. As an Englishman that has never served but lost a grandfather and a great-grandfather to WW1 and WW2 I have an endless respect for these men. and your reactions, stunned and silent as they oft times were. replaced a thousand useless words. Beautifully and respectfully done Sir. Thank you.
I've read a number of citations for VC recipients, I've always described it to people as something out of a video game, done in real life. Absolute respect to all of them.
In comparison to the VC, Medal of Honour winners were awarded merely for bravery - you don't even have to have succeeded in your mission, it could be a complete failure and you'd still be awarded a MOH. As noble as that is, this isn't enough for the VC. To earn a VC, you literally have to stage your own one-man Battle of Thermopylae but unlike the Spartans, you have to win. With a limb missing. And then you have to keep winning. The criteria is not just bravery but "most conspicuous bravery" and that is what sets it apart from all others
Hi Alan! I love your reactions but your heartfelt reaction and real feeling on what is a sacred ground subject made me feel pride and, humble two! My Dad was a Bofors Layer, (front left seat) and part of 30 corps.; 123LAA RA. He landed on the 2nd wave on Sword Beach aged 20 and was later part of operation ‘Market Garden’. He had a very tough time, particularly at Nijmegen! He was in battle with the US 101 and 82nd Airborne. I was born in 1964, and grew up with my Dad screaming at night, most nights! I love him and miss him so much! I always think: WHAT WOULD DAD DO”! The US and British fought and died together and still do.! Thank you Alan, your reaction means so much to me! When you get to come to the UK I would be privileged to take your family at ‘The Ritz’. You and I can have a few bottles of champagne, (not Moët). Keep doing what you do Alan!!! I’m crying but I’m grateful too! Take care Mate and keep safe!
Good to see another Eamonn out there... Mrs C ,s uncle RIP who served with the East Lancashire regiment at Nijmegen sadly succumbed to his wounds ,her dad was with the Chindits, my dad was with the RAF ,Egypt Libya and Malta and finally in Germany, best wishes from the wirral...E
@@eamonnclabby7067 Hi Eamonn! Total respect and gratitude to your wife’s Uncle, her Dad and your Dad! May they sleep soundly, at last, and finally at peace! These are the Hero’s!!!
They were ordinary People, until their decisions & actions in a desperate, situation.. Turned them into extraordinary People! ... Thank You for reacting to this Eclectic, Your Humanity shines through as always! 👍🇬🇧🇺🇸
In the UK we have days to commemorate the fallen of the First World War and subsequent wars in which the UK and her Commonwealth faught called Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday (Remembrance Day is on the 11th November, the anniversary of the armistice ending the First World War, and Remembrance Sunday being the closest Sunday to the day (14th November this year), which is when the ceremonies are held) and from what I understand, it's basically the UK's equivalent of the US's Veteran's Day and Memorial Day but it's carried out very differently; it's treated more like a funeral than a celebration, at which the whole country falls silent for two minutes at 11:00 GMT. My best friend who I grew up with joined the RAF a couple of years ago and is going on his first deployment in Afghanistan in October, so I'll be attending my local service this Remembrance Sunday where we used to take part in parades in the Air Cadets together. I definitely recommend tuning in this year's live stream of the service in London if you can on Remembrance Sunday (I think it begins at like 05:00 EST so you might be asleep at that time). If not then definitely watch some services of previous years Love your videos mate and much love from the UK 🇺🇸❤️🇬🇧
Interesting thought from King George V "The King feels so strongly that, no matter the crime committed by anyone on whom the VC has been conferred, the decoration should not be forfeited. Even were a VC to be sentenced to be hanged for murder, he should be allowed to wear his VC on the scaffold." As for selling a VC, It could be a way to raise funds after falling on hard times, or families selling It so as not to argue over it.
These days if a winner was found to have said something not PC there would be a clamour for it to be taken off them. The balance and context no longer exists in our society
I've seen this programme about 5 times & i still get tears in my eyes every time, there are just no words to describe these people or their story's . Utter respect! Thank you EB for a great video!
The mindfullness and thoughtfulness in your video, whilst speaking about those who have sacrificed, is in itself a mark of great respect. I hope that generations to come will remember our true hero's and give as much thought to their efforts and sacrifices as individuals such as yourself.
From what I can gather the MOH has been issued to 3,525 recipients, currently there's been 1355 VC's won. Both are still in such tiny numbers when compared to how many soldiers have fought and lost their lives defending us. The VC first issued in 1857 with the MOH issued 1861, so history wise both honours aren't that far apart. I'm not saying winning an MOH is any easier than a VC, there's a lot of variables to consider. Both are the sign of someone who did something superhuman, so far beyond what any normal person would think of that it sounds crazy when talked about. I can never repay these incredible men for everything they did. Heroes to a man, then and now.
I had the great privilege and pleasure to become friends with Ray Sherrif, a veteran of the Western Desert, the landings in Sicily and a survivor of the battle of Arnhem. He was in his eighties when I got to know him, but was still incredibly active, cycling long distances on the back of a tandem with accompanied by a sighted rider and often to be seen on his exercise bicycle in his garage. As far as I can remember, I think he was 83 when he did his last parachute jump into Arnhem to mark the 60th anniversary of the battle. I was teaching in the school next door and, as smoking was forbidden on the campus, a group of us ended up on the street round the corner. Betty, Ray's wife, saw us and invited us into their garden and to use their garage if it was raining. Wonderful people! Ray's account of his service was always delivered with humour and with absolutely no regrets, despite his horrific injuries. He told me of the moment he was shot in the chest in the desert - "I rolled down the back of a dune and lay there. The Sergeant Major came up to me and asked me what had happened. 'Shot in the chest, Sgt Major,' I answered." To which the Sergeant Major replied, asking him why he hadn't shaved that morning . . . He couldn't stop laughing when he told me this. And, his description of his experiences at Arnhem, his injuries and the fact that he credited the German doctors for saving his life were spell binding. When he died, I attended his funeral at Brighton Crematorium. There was an Honour Guard of young soldiers from the Parachute Regiment and many friends there to say their farewells. An amazing man! Here's a link to an article, giving more detail of his life and service. I hope it works: www.paradata.org.uk/people/raymond-g-sheriff
Brilliant reaction Alan, mate. One of your very best. You simply HAVE to do the follow up docco to this. The Raid on Saint Nazaire. It was the ultimate suicide mission and is utterly astonishing. The bravery shown in the face of death is incredible. You couldn't write it.
I've done a ceremonial guard on the V.C. of Pvt. Martin O'Meara V.C., an anti-rain Guard for the V.C. of Pvt. Tom Starcevich V.C. and met Warrant Officer Keith Payne V.C. Each time was a goose bump moment. WO Keith Payne V.C. is a wonderful man and is great with kids. I have a great picture I took of him with the 13th Brigade Warrant Officer. I was offered to get a picture with him, but I don't need one, I'm not going to forget shaking his hand. I really wouldn't worry about the upcoming generations, there will always be those that run toward the danger. I find it sad that there is a market for Victoria Cross's. However, the money has been a saving grace for more than one family. A rich Aussie businessman named Kerry Stokes has (I believe) now bought 7 Victoria Cross's for the Australian War Memorial.
There have been 4 awards of the Victoria Cross for Australia since that documentary, plus the award of a Victoria Cross for actions during the Second World War. Mark Donaldson V.C. Ben Roberts-Smith V.C. Daniel Keighran V.C. Cameron Baird V.C. Edward "Teddy" Sheean V.C.
I've visited the city of Arnhem and the Memorial to the Airborne troops. Through out the city the Winged Pegasus flag of the airborne division fly, the people have never forgotten the sacrifice made to try to free them. Each year on the anniversary Dutch school children lay flowers on the graves of the fallen at the War cemetery.
However ,if only the British high command and general boy browning had listened to the Dutch underground,and understood from Dutch milltary exercises prior to 1940 that the thrust down one highway like thirty corps did... Well none of this would have happened...maybe a broad Patton inspired attack would have been better... Afterall the gun was cooked by this staged...and all over by the shouting...
@@roybennett6330 Please don't insult this conversation and the bravery of the people we are honouring here by mentioning the Patton. The man was an egotistical, self gratifying moron who would ignore orders if it suited him or he just took fright (like at Falaise). He was a danger to his own men and especially any Brits he was supposedly fighting with (like in Sicily). Ike made his biggest mistakes in not firing him in the 3 chances he had.
My Dad's cousin Sgt Stan Bralee was a glider pilot on the Arnhem raid and was killed there. While I was serving with the RAF in Germany I went to see the memorial which his name is inscribed.
There have actually been 4 VCs awarded since this documentary was aired. Of those four, two - Johnson Beharry (in Iraq) and Joshua Leakey (in Afghanistan) are alive, and the other two (Bryan Budd and James Ashworth, both Afghanistan) were posthumous.
Initially the V,C was going to be inscribed with the words "For Bravery" but queen Victoria actually overruled this by saying that the word didn't separate its recipient from the pack as in her words "all my soldiers are brave" so instead they went with the words "For Valour" and in the official statement for the criteria of receipt they use the word gallantry instead of bravery.
The most potent line from this whole thing is the statistic about how many of these men were the responsible elder brother in a single-parent or large family. They're someone who's grown up fast, got used to sacrificing their own needs for those of the people in their care, and when they see these people they love getting cut down, they will do ANYTHING to stop that happening. It's not about death or glory, it's about family.
@@stevehughes6627 Well he is a bit of a tosser but he's also very entertaining and a great presenter. I'm not sure I'd like to know him, but I definitely like watching him on TV. Similarly, I thought I liked James May until I saw a clip from in Japan where he had a completely juvenile argument about a shot and for some reason included it in the cut. I now know I'd think he's a wanker in person (as his crew probably does), but I still enjoy watching his stuff.
It makes sense for the medals to be made out of a "low value" metal (the metal is probably valued higher due to the fact that it is the only one that makes the VC). That way the honour of receiving the medal isn't devalued by a relative selling it for the raw material value. If it was made from a precious metal then it could be sold, melted down and made into something else. With the VC the only true value is with it remaining as a VC medal.
The metal was chosen as appeasement to the top brass who did not want lower ranks getting medals. Queen Victoria was a genius choosing a cannon captured by soldiers for the most prestigious medal in the world, earned almost entirely by the very people the top brass/upper classes did not want to celebrate.
The canon was captured by a reckless act of valor. Infact it would of probably earned a few VCs it's self if such a notion existed at the time of the action.
After seeing that programme i feel a absolute rsole for the thoughts and feelings iv'e had for Clarkson. All i can say is I'm ashamed of myself and brilliantly presented. Thank you Mr Clarkson.
My great grandfather was Christopher Augustus Cox and he was awarded the Victoria Cross medal and his is the one that is on display in London's imperial War museum. On 13 March 1917 at Achiet-le-Grand, France, during an attack by the battalion, the front wave was checked by very heavy artillery and machine gun fire and the whole line had to take cover in shell holes. Cox, a stretcher-bearer, went out over fire-swept ground and single-handedly rescued four men. Having collected the wounded of his own battalion he then helped to bring in the wounded of the adjoining battalion. On two subsequent days he carried out similar work with complete disregard for his own safety.
honestly its so humbling to hear of these stories and i love to hear everything that is Great about my great country and it truly makes me feel proud to call myself a Great British Citizen as i am able to say these are the stories of my fellow countrymen and i hope all that i do in my life makes their sacrifice worth it.
Wonderful documentry fully respected by yourself. After seeing this and just like you i thank that generation of all countries for our freedom. The ending had quite a significant remark about how the word Hero is being abused within the English language when football players and other celebs are being called a hero. I did not notice you said anything wrong but your awareness is in itself a quality more people could add to their persona in todays society.
Just watched this video of yours reacting to this brilliant documentary. I personally had the pleasure to meet our Australian hero Keith Payne VC who is featured in this video. I knew of him as I was a nurse at a Vietnam Veterans Hostel, he was humble and quiet and still had that steely look in his eyes. At no stage did he ever speak of his medal and was just interested in the men we had there and how they were and if they needed anything, this is the essence of a hero always thinking of others at all times. Ty for your reaction Keep Safe Keep Strong 🦘🦘🦘🦘❤❤👍👍
Listening to your final thoughts really touched me.....these guys were the real heroes, we live in social freedom because these guys fought for it.........god bless them , btw im an athiest but i bless their sacrifice
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
May I say as a British chap myself, you showed this documentary the honourable men in it and the Victoria Cross the degree of respect that I in turn respected, often you see these American Generals with most there uniform covered in medal ribbon but the British are so much more reserved in giving out medals 🎖️ as we don’t tend to give them out for Willy nilly like for guarding a car park (car lot). 😂
My great grandfather got the victoria cross in first world war , he saved lives and came back to yorkshire with sickness from damage to his lungs by mustard gas , laura
@@HappyBear376 FFS, just because she is a female you are on the prowl. "I expect you are a remarkable woman". Jesus, you don't even know her. What? You expecting a conversation and then maybe a phone number??? 😂 Absolute sad.
My great grandfather never won the VC but similar to yours was gassed in the war and retuned home after his service with damaged lungs which affected his health until his death from the damage in the 1920's. His hand coloured photograph hangs in my mothers hallway, when she passes, it will hang in mine and my daughter and nieces are determined it will hang in one of theirs after my passing. I have his service medals and his silver plated cigarette case given to him by a German serviceman.
My dear departed father had been in the British army since he was 14 years old. During the war, he earned, one of the few, the DCMs (Distinguished Conduct Medal) and was presented to King George. So very proud of him. He would never tell me why he earned that medal.
He is lucky to be departed, finally he got to be away from that sh1t nation, only to return to be given that medal, that sucks. If it were me i would decline that medal and say rather than a medal i would like to see this country fall to crumbles. Then he would have my respect. Failure nation you live in is a clown country.
6:02 There was no draft. Every able-bodied man over 18 was required to but themselves forward for service. My mums dad was sent away as he was a foreman in a factory and was required to train the women to do the jobs of the missing men. My dad's dad was sent back to the ammunition factory he was working at as he was a specialist in mixing the powders and chemicals, they both died in the 1970s but my dad's mother met a man and remarried in the late 80s. He is the only grandad I ever knew and was in a tank battalion in the second world war and was part of operation market garden which is when he met his first wife. After the war was over every remembrance day he returned to her village in rural Holland and said goodbye to his friends again and again. After the war he was a scout leader a police officer and even returned to the army a few times to help train soldiers but once he retired after his first wife passed away to raise their 5 children he continued being an absolute machine he ran his last half marathon at 84 years old and passed away in 2012, 4 months after I had named my second born son Joseph after his great grandfather Joseph Snelson. I miss that guy everyday and I miss his stories of the men he fought alongside. On the day of his funeral 3 Dutch man came over from that village and thanked him for return year after year and they told me a new story of how everyone in their village saw Joe as a hero. I so hope one day I can go to that village and say goodbye to him and his friends one last time.
Respect for the brave men of Arnhem. Those who were awarded medals and those who weren't. Please remember all of our brave servicemen. We will remember them.
I go to Arnhem most years … the Glider pilot regiment is the fore runner to my Regiment, Army Air Corps, some of the stories from the battle are mind blowing …you think how the hell … the fact they had to swim the Rhine ( cross the river at night )
I did the math, and 0.008 percent of American service members have won the Medal of Honour, and 0.004 percent of British Empire service members (this includes UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, India, South Africa, and many others) have won the Victoria Cross. The odds for either are insane, and seem to be similar in probability, until you realise that 0.008 is double 0.004, which means you are TWICE as likely to earn a Medal of Honour than you are to ever wear a Victoria Cross.
The main problem for the British soldier in WW2 was his General Officers, nearly all of whom had learnt their trade serving in WW1, warfare had changed drastically in the years between, but a lot of the British higher officer ranks had not. The German army had began to prize mental agility in its officer corps, the ability to think quickly, to modify a plan in the face of unexpected opposition, whereas the British high command was filled with moustache twirling, stiff upper lip, 'push on for victory' types. Special Forces such as Commandos and Paratroopers were regarded with disdain early in the war because of how 'un-British' they were. When they were used, the Generals didn't understand how to do so properly.
Have a look at the battle of Rorke's Drift (the film 'Zulu' shows the main points really well), where 11 VC's and 5 DCM's (Distinguished Conduct Medals) were awarded to the survivors. Also, worth taking a look at the incredible, legendary life of Anders Lassen, who was awarded the VC and had 3 Military Crosses too because of his actions and exploits in WW2. He died aged 25, after knocking out 2 machine gun bunkers and going for a 3rd, saving many lives in the process. The only man with a statue at both the SAS barracks and another at the SBS (Special Boat Service) barracks. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Lassen
Zulu inaccurately portrays Henry Hook as an ill disciplined drunk soldier when he was a teetotaler who obeyed the chain of command. The fact that so many VC's were awarded was thought to be a cover for the disaster by the British Army at Islandwana (sorry my spelling may be off) and so those soldiers were often seen by their contemporaries as have not 'earnt' them as they were just 'there'.
@@michaels1422 As a BBC report in 2012 put it "It was an event which saw 11 Victoria Crosses awarded, more than for any single battle before or since. That may in part be due to Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli wanting to draw a veil over the huge defeat at Isandlwana earlier on the same day when a column of 1,800 well-armed British military were put to the spear. However, an analysis of the citations will show that the award of each VC was justly deserved." I'm sure that, as in any movie ever made, there was a bit of poetic licence apart from making out a teetotaller liked a drink - I don't think 'Men of Harlech' was actually sung as it wasn't a Welsh regiment, although the Warwickshire regiment had been stationed in Wales for the previous 6 years, and I don't think anyone ever said "Zulus! Thousands of 'em!" 🤣
This documentary was made in 2003, in the years since only 7 more have been awarded. 5 of which were to New Zealand and Australian troops who now get their own VC rather than the British one.
I think if you consider the intensity of operations that troops from Britain, New Zealand and Australia have been involved in since 2003 it more than adequately demonstrates the level of valour recipients demonstrate.
I remember watching this documentary quite a few years ago, Even back then it gave me a lump in my throat, Then to hear you say that the video was one of greatest things you have ever seen, It was an honour to see your reaction, Thankyou EB.
A German General who fought on both the Eastern and Western fronts, said that British Paras were by far the best soldiers he faced during the entire war.
Do we know the creation of SAS was an English derived idea after WW1 for A Specialized Service Unit in future Arenas. This first SAS unit comprised mainly of NZ Soldiers. Since, our SAS Has operated covertly in most Arenas of Warfare with massive praise !
Would I be right to think you have served your country on the battlefield, for whatever the reason? You may be keen on our view of the NZ SAS Recruiting Program, truly hard & humble Killers! NZ SAS RECRUITMENT DOCO! Would be interested in you're veiw! Keep up the good work!
The stories of these men are incredible. To completely disregard their own personal safety, thus endeavoring to preserve the safety of their own men, their friends, their brothers in arms, the appropriate words to describe my admiration for these men do not exist. Regardless of the objectives of any war, the first thought in any soldier's mind is surely to make sure that the man standing next to them has the best chance of getting home unscathed. The men in these stories have taken it to an extreme level. And as Jeremy says, it's a case of how many more people would have died, had they not been the ferocious warrior they were in these moments. While Major Cain is the main focus of the show, as Jeremy said, he could have centered this documentary on any one of these VC winners. All of their stories are astonishing. I felt particularly emotional about Lachiman Gurung VC's story. Seeing his expression after Jeremy told his tale made my eyes brim with tears. He looked so haunted, like he could still see the faces of the men he killed, defending his position. He probably does. When I first saw that image of him, I just wanted to find him and hug him. This documentary was made in 2003, and I'm not sure how many more of those VC winners are still alive today. I know that William Speakman VC died only a few years ago. But since this documentary was aired, the number of VC winners from the end of the second world war has gone up from 11 to 15. To the best of my knowledge, the last winner was Josh Leakey VC in 2015, and thus he became the only VC winner of the Afghanistan conflict. To all of these men, brave beyond what any words can say, thank you.
Some Commonwealth countries now have their own Victoria Cross. NZ and Australia use the same metal and jewelers as the British. There's only been one recipient of the VCNZ so far, Corporal Willie Apiata of the NZ SAS.
@@urizen7613 I get why but it's a shame that the medal is not part of the VC history (meaning made from the cannon) do you know where their metal comes from?
My favourite bit of trivia about the VC, is that no matter what other titles/awards/medals you receive in life that give you letters after your name, or how distinguished they are, the VC *always* comes first after your name.
I watched this back in June 21, and again today, it's one my favorite reactions, I also had to resubscribe for whatever reason, YT acts in mysterious ways (not just your channel), I might start screen shotting so I can keep track of dropped subs!..
The VC is much, much harder to win than any other medal awarded by any country in the world. All British Soldiers look upon any holder as something akin to a god, someone inspirational, someone who deserves the utmost respect.
This is probably the best reaction i've ever watched and i've watched a lot of reactions. It was a pleasure to experience this again with you and to see and hear your perspectives.
Two thoughts:- 1> I have drastically altered my own personal definition of what hero means 2> Major Robert Henry Cain VC is now my definition of what a hero is
Clarkson had another one of these about the commando raid on St Nazaire that's also worth reacting to, here's a link ruclips.net/video/SCMCr2Kh1wI/видео.html
My neighbour's great grandfather won a VC for his actions in 1918. He returned home and, when the time came, re-elisted again for WWII and retired a major after the war. He died in 1972 and is one of New Zealand's most decorated officers. The medal itself is so small in many respects but what it represents is enormous. I was lucky enough to actually hold his medal, many years ago now, when the family looked after it briefly before it went on display at the Army museum in Waiuru. There is nothing to compare to actually seeing, let alone having the privilege of holding, a VC knowing just what was done to win it.
RIP Reginald Judson. New Zealand Army.
How proud you must be .God bless
6 machine gun posts and twelve soldiers.
I edited the Jeremy Clarkson film. It was probably the most satisfying film I’ve ever worked on. So much fascinating footage and a very small team put it together, I remember cutting all those sequences very clearly . It’s very rewarding to see it still provoking thought and being well received, thanks.
Its 1 of the best war/medal stories iv ever seen
Thank you for doing such a great job!
Mr Hey, you are right to feel proud of this. A great piece of work by all concerned. There are so many great tales behind all these medals it must have been a real struggle to decide which stories NOT to include.
I thought it was rather bizarre, the way it was framed and omitted so many VCs. Talked as if the VC was a UK medal, while talking about the British Empire. Seemed more like a pommie ego trip framed as history.
Nice job brother!
I'm an old British Army veteran. I like the way you pause and gather your thoughts before saying something and continuing. Very respectful and well done sir.
My thoughts exactly.
I agree. Hes The most respectful RUclipsr. I'm a veteran myself brother. Thanks for your service
I agree Mr. Wick (Cool name by the way 💪). He is clearly not faking it.
Love and respect from a Norwegian Navy soldier 👊
ya should post the tank killer up a other mad brit..with balls of steal..
Agree.
The story of Lachimann Gurung gives me goosebumps every time I read it. If there ever was a human who was simply 'built different', he was. Clarkson doesn't really do his story justice in this.
Tasked with defending a machine gun post with a few soldiers as 200 enemies attack, cut-off from reinforcements and having a grenade blow off your hand and injure your body and also blinded in one eye, to still have the wherewithal to calmly load a rifle one-handed (his non-dominant hand). At one point, he thrust his kukri (knife) into the ground and screamed "Come and fight a Gurkha!" into the night. Left all alone, with no resources, no right hand, no backup, no artillery support. Just one man and his rifle against a battalion of Japanese soldiers. When the dust settled, he emerged having killed at least 31 (there's no way of really knowing). Imagine being a Japanese soldier thinking you've got one enemy left and you take a strategic position and a small, already mortally wounded Burmese man *literally* single-handedly decimates your entire battalion, occasionally screaming "COME AND FIGHT ME" into the darkness.
He would lose his right eye and the use of his right hand but stayed on to serve with the Gurkhas after WW2, later moving to London and living out the rest of his life in peace. Quite simply, one of the most badass human beings to ever live. It's like, how has that not been made into a film? It almost sounds as it something a Hollywood producer would dream of.
This makes the man sound like an absolute spartan
200 men is essentially company strength not a battalion. A lot of the citations for vc , DCM, mc etc make for interesting reading.
Gurkhas are the most badass soldiers around. I've had the pleasure of meeting some of them. The most kind humble people you will ever meet. The perfect soldier. Will always have the upmost respect for them. ❤️🙏
You know what the G in Gurkha stands for? It stands for GTFO or else you will face a shit storm the likes that one could not imagine.
And Lachimann Gurung was the very finest they had to offer
Everyone of those Gurkhas are so strong, ferocious, tough and best soldiers ever.
This I do believe to be one of the most amazing things I've ever reacted to. The stories told are just awe inspiring. I took utmost care to show immense respect to the stories being told within the video. I came away with a deeper respect and thirst for hearing more of the stories of those awarded the VC. Please remember, I'm American, I will make comparison or correlation to what I know and I know this medal is awarded, not won as I stated and tried to clarify within the video. Please overlook my shortcomings in the manner of speech I can have at times to hear these remarkable stories.
Yes, that was an incredible video. Cain's tale was fascinating but that Australian chap who rescued 40 comrades stopped me in my tracks.
EB your reaction was, as always, exemplary. Well done mate. 👍
There are only 3 men who have won the VC twice, two in the First World War and one in the Second World War. Surgeon Captain Arthur Martin-Leake, Captain Noel Cavasse and Captain Charles Upham.
Another WW2 achievement you might like to find out about, although not related to the VC, is The Dambusters. They used bouncing bombs to destroy 3 dams on the Ruhr in Germany.
ruclips.net/video/DZGkTX445o0/видео.html
simon weston last man i heard won VC medal in Falklands war
I thought your reaction was not only very insightful but showed the utmost respect, too.
As a side note, since this documentary was made there have been a further 4 VC’s awarded, 1 in Iraq (Johnson Beharry, Princess of Wales Royal Regiment), and 3 in Afghanistan (Bryan Budd, Joshua Leaky, Parachute Regiment, and James Ashworth, Grenadier Guards), all 4 are incredible stories and uphold the tradition of the Victory Cross of beating almost impossible odds and totally selfless.
Also four more in Australia and one in New Zealand, which have issued their own versions of the VC since 1991. Canada also switched to issuing its own series of VC in 1993 but none have yet been issued.
Its also worth considering some of the George crosses awarded since, As much of the time British troops were in Iraq nobody was actually eligible for a VC as the VC can only be won when under "enemy fire".
For much of the time British troops were in Iraq nobody was actually shooting at them, The example being Major Peter Allen Norton. GC who won his gallantry award refusing treatment for wounds suffered in an IED blast because he suspected more devices were present and wasn't going to leave until he was sure everyone in the area was also safe from further blasts. Or the medal was awarded for a blue on blue incident, as was the case for Christopher Finney, GC who its believed was actually nominated for a VC but because his scimitar came under fire from a pair of American A-10's rather than enemy aircraft his returning to the vehicle multiple times to rescue his fellow crewmen despite having been hit in the back and legs by an A-10, while not knowing if the aircraft were going to come back for another pass. Fun fact Finney is now Chairman of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.
A wiser man then me once said "Bravery isn't about not being scared, its about being terrified but doing it anyway"
I've looked into it and apparently several people have been credited with that quote including
Mark Twain
Oprah Winfrey
General "stormin Norman Schwartzkopf.
I heard it years ago while serving in the military and its so true, it also goes hand in hand with the other phrase "There is a thin line between Bravery and Stupidity"
There is also stupid 'bravery' - like trying to save someone without thinking first.
I nearly did that years ago while hiking in the mountains. A guy I had only met that day slipped and was falling off a cliff. Without thinking I dived and grabbed him, but was being dragged over with him. Luckily 2 of my friends were close enough to grab my ankles. Everyone said I was brave, but I insisted that I was just an idiot.
Winston Churchill: "Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision."
@@gregculverwell Cool story Bro...
Cain, along with all VC winners are exceptional individuals. I served with the 2nd Bn Parachute Regt (2Para) in the South Atlantic (Falklands campaign), 1982. There were many in my company who (I considered) worthy of honours, but were seemingly unrecognised. I didn't see the end of this conflict - I was blown up, losing both lower limbs - but for P company mentality, considered this was nothing compared to those who gave their lives. Personally lost 6 friends in that fight; out of 251 British lost in total, that's quite a percentage - I'll never forget the fallen, as long as I draw breath. Of course, if you consider the millions lost in the First & Second World Wars - as well as Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf ( I & II) wars, it might seem to pale into insignificance - that is not so. Grateful thanks for your contribution, here - always appreciated.
Take care & stay safe, Sir.
Thanks for your service, much appreciated 🙏
Thank you, Mark.
My brothers best mate, Neil Grose (3 Para), fought at Mt Longdon and never came home.
I remember young men like Neil and their Gallantry under fire. I would like to thank every single armed forces member for their service and welcoming persons like me in to their ranks.
& you have it, Five-Eyes.
I'll say it again, a Big Thank you
It was so great to see an American revisiting this topic. I was blown away by your genuine reverence and humble appreciation of these extraordinary men. It was refreshing to see your approach in covering the British sacrifices during WW2 instead of the usual U.S "we won the war" mentality. I was delighted and humbled by your humility my friend and enjoyed this episode immensely, Thank you.
Great immensely brave guy
You were lost for words, but your eyes spoke of the respect and awe…
Yep, very true. The eyes are the windows to the soul, so they say, and EBs eyes at various points, especially toward the end showed s very caring, respecting honourable Chap who, along with many of us I am sure, was incredibly moved by the takes of true heroism that came out in that video.
You put it perfectly brov👊🇬🇧🏴
I'm in floods of tears watching this. The bravery of these men is so very humbling and yet they don't feel they did anything special - it's awe inspiring.
My Grandfather used to be a hair dresser until he
fought at Arnhem, he was in the parachute regiment and landed in a glider. He was shot in the knee, made deaf by gunshots /explosions and then had to swim across the rhine despite the injuries.
He kept a small museum of arhem artefacts for the rest of his life and went back every year to see the dutch people. going back one last time after his death so he could be buried with his comrades in arms in oosterbeek cemetery
As an Englishman I just wanted to say that your respect for these stories is very much appreciated, it seems you are going in these with an open mind, as we know different countries get taught different versions of history so often what we think we know is true turns out to be totally different. Thank you, I wish more contributors showed the same fairness you do.
Well Said Rod.
Nicely put.
I really loved this.My dads brother..my uncle served in the 1st Airborne Division Parachute Regiment in WW2...He was at Arhem in Holland ..and he was one of the few who made it back..We are all incredibly proud of him..he served for the whole of the war..He has many medals.."The Star of Arnhem" was a medal close to him..he lost so many friends there ..My uncle died last year aged 96..He lived a full and happy life and all the family adored him...Our own hero
My grandad was there too. Unfortunately, he never really spoke of it to anyone and he was suffering from alzheimer's by the time I was old enough to appreciate the situation. So I was never able to ask him about his experiences.
Utrinque Paratus, Chic !👍
This documentary and Clarksons other one 'the greatest raid of all' are The best stories I've ever watched ❤ so happy to see you react to this fabulous story x
Totally agree 100% I'd love to see more documentaries from Clarkson.
He did another documentary about the Arctic convoys. Well worth a watch.
love that one 100% should watch
Would highly recommend
Agree both documentary’s by Clarkson are brilliant
Although not actually a requirement even the Chiefs Of Staff will salute any rank including Privates etc. who has the VC. That's the level of respect it commands
There is a big difference between the V,C and the congressional medal of honor, since its inception over 900 medals of honor have been rescinded (mostly through doubt cast over the validity of the actions of the recipient) but not a single V,C has ever been rescinded, what Clarkson said at the beginning is absolutely true, once you've got one no one can take it away, initially there were circumstances in which you would forfeit the medal but this was stopped by the opinion of king George V
"The King feels so strongly that, no matter the crime committed by anyone on whom the VC has been conferred, the decoration should not be forfeited. Even were a VC to be sentenced to be hanged for murder, he should be allowed to wear his VC at the gallows".
Fabulous and so it should
@@whovianhistorybuff I've given a similar reply below, I just couldn't remember which King it was, but a few were rescinded before his time. I recall that it was also King George that made the VC awardable post-humously.
Actually, it is required in QR (unless the Chief of Staff also holds a VC) as a VC has seniority over all ranks when saluting. Queen & HRHs only ones with higher seniority.
When my Dad was doing his national service in the 50's, the postman who delivered the mail to Woolwich Arsenal was a Victoria Cross recipient from the Second World War.
The guard would turn out and salute him when he arrived. Every day.
This was 1 hour 26 minutes and 5 seconds well spent.
Very humbling to hear of this truly unreal level of bravery and all brilliantly presented by Clarkson and equally brilliantly and respectfully reacted to by you 👍🏻
1:02:27 I feel like I should add, that it isn't quite up to date. The 11 only include VCs including the Falklands War. There are 4 more, 1 from Iraq 2004 and 3 from Afghanistan, 2006, 2012 and 2013. 2 of them, the 2006 and 2012 recipients, received it posthumously. So you could say, while the chances to receive one have gone down dramatically, the chances to survive it. For all 15 VCs since WW2, 8 have died obtaining it, 7 survived. Considering the overall 1 in 10 chances, ~50% survival is a massive improvement
one kiwi soldier won the vc twice, when the second one was awarded the king was reluctant to give someone a second vc considering he never died, and asked his commanding officer did he really deserve it, his CO said he probably should get another half dozen
Only 3 people won two VC's. two won their second one in WW1, Charles Upham one his in WW2 and was the only combat soldier to win 2 (the other two winners were medical officers). Read the article on Charles Upham 'Badass of the week' amazing reading of an incredible humble man.
He, (to his credit, truly did, make this statement.
Proud to be a kiwi
Just following on from that documentary, as many Commonwealth countries move to more independent positions on military matters new Zealand, no doubt among others, has reviewed it's honours system, the Victoria Cross is still available to our troops but is now the Victoria Cross of new Zealand and is awarded by the NZ govt.
The Officer in question was Major General Howard Kippenberger, I live just around the corner from where he lived before the War. Charles Upham should have been award another one for his actions during the breakout from Minqar Qaim in Libya. I have the book Mark of a Lion, the biography of Charles Upham, I also have a book on the breakout from Minqar Qaim, in which the Germans complained bitterly about the actions of the New Zealanders during the breakout, Geobbels himself complained that the Kiwis fought like Bolsheviks who'd drank too much vodka.
Brilliant documentary. His follow up "The Greatest Raid of All Time" about the St. Nazaire raid is compelling viewing.
The Greatest Raid is must see viewing.
My grandad was actually on that raid and got captured. Unbelievably proud of that.
The Greatest Raid AMAZING STORY !
Highly recommended.
Just to agree with Sam, The Greatest Raid is absolutely worth watching. Really hope you do it.
So, the video was produced in 2003. Since then, there have been 4 VCs awarded - Pte Johnson Beharry, Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (2004, Al-Amarah, Iraq); Cpl Bryan Budd, Parachute Regiment (2006, Helmand Province, Afghanistan); L/Cpl James Ashworth, Grenadier Guards (2012, Nahari Saraj District, Afghanistan); L/Cpl Joshua Leakey (2013, Helmand Province, Afghanistan). The awards to Cpl Budd and L/Cpl Ashworth were both postumous.
It,s not the first VC in Josh Leakeys family, Nigel Leakey was awarded the VC posthumously in 1941.
An Australian SAS Corpral as well in 2011 from action in Afghanistan.
@@mrh678 Australia has am honours system wholly seperate from the UK.
@@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t it's still the same gallantry award, eligible to any commonwealth solider, sailor or airman, from that same lump of metal, awarded by the crown. Thats like saying only British one's are genuine and they only count. All are equally worthy of praise and acknowledgment.
@@mrh678 No, it's not available to any Commonwealth soldier. India remains a member of the Commonwealth, but their highest gallantry award is the Param Vir Chakra. Indian soldiers are not eligible for any flavour of the Victoria Cross (and there are 4; the Victoria Cross for Australia, the Victoia Cross for New Zealand, the Victoria Cross (Canada) and the plain old Victoria Cross), because - like Australia - they operate their own honours system.
Alan this may be your best reaction, truely touched me your heart felt sorrow and awe ..........ty brother
Beard, you have to mention a man dear to my heart and my city of Liverpool. His name is Noel Chevasse. One of only 3 men to ever win 2 victoria crosses and the highest decorated soldier in british history. Were talking about the first world war. He wasn't from my city of Liverpool, but was a doctor and medical officer with the Liverpool Scottish regiment. He continually went into no mans land under fire, to rescue the injured or dead. After being seriously injured in the battle of Guillemont , he recovered from his injuries and continued going out into no mans land to recover the injured. He sadly died in the early stage of the battle of Passchendaele in August 1917, to gain a second Victoria Cross, and to become the most highly decorated British officer of the first world war. I' m 65 years old and we learnt about this in school. Many pubs still have photgraphs of this man upon their wall. We have in my city, a small park in Liverpool city centre called Chavasse Park and a statue of the man in Liverpool's university south quarter, in Abercromby Square. If you ask all of the young people or students who walk past the statue, I guarantee none of them will know who he is, or even care. They will be more interested in the Kardashians. This is sad.
"It can never be taken away. You can go to the gallows wearing it. And no matter how many letters you have after your name, VC always comes first."
That just says something about being a VC winner.
your silence was potent, just shows how impactful their stories are.
god bless all who fought for us, and those who still are fighting.
My friend is a British soldier. He went to Iraq. He came back. Everything about him changed. He really was a lovely, funny guy. (I thought he'd be a comedian) He came back quiet and sullen. I talked with him, he told his story. I will not tell you his story. It is his story, not my story to tell.
Only his friends/family know his name. I will remember my friend's name, face, everything about him for as long as I live. The bravest man I have ever met.
I can't give him The Victoria Cross. I can't give him a medal but I can give him my love and respect. He taught me not to hate anyone. "Hate is useless," He told me.
I have known a few lads British and American and its the same story over and over,
Marikio D, lovely words my friend. Love how this US guy takes an effort to understand us, more than we often give the US credit for. Thanks
@@atlasjames3324 Thank you for a lovely compliment. It is much appreciated.
I like Eclectic Beard also. He seems down to Earth and the type of chap who is not judgemental. Seems like an all-around nice person.
No problem at all, may I say, your writing is excellent, too. Hope your friend is okay and looked after by the State.
@@atlasjames3324 My friend is fine now and is still in service. He has raised in the ranks and has gained a lot of respect from his fellow soldiers.
He's just one of those people who attract others to them. Charisma? He doesn't demand respect. He earned it.
I'm sure he is a fine soldier. I'm not in military service...So I haven't served with him...But if I ever had to serve, it would be an honour to serve with him.
John Cruickshank did get his VC in case you thought he didn't. He's still alive. He recently had his 101st birthday.
Good lad
Excellent news, regarding a valiant Human Being. God bless him and watch over him still. Thank you very much for this information, I appreciate it.
Wounded 72 times and reaches 101 - his Guardian Angel must be working overtime!
And the "degree of self-perservation" is clearly undermined by the fact that he stayed in the air for an hour, with seventy-two wounds, in order to maximise the chances of survival for his crew, whilst vastly lowering his own.
Sir, I salute you..you are a greater man than me!.😔🙏
This is the Jeremy Clarkson narrated documentary, he focuses on Major Robert Henry Cain. The reason? Major Cain had a daughter called Frances, she married a TV presenter called Jeremy Ckarkson. This documentary is all about him saying "Look at me my father in law won the VC". The man came back from the war, went back to his job and said nothing about what he did in the war. He died and only then did his daughter find the medal in his personal belongings. Major Robert Cain earned the medal, VC winners are special. You read some of thier citations and you think "He did what????" Another example Gurkha Lachhiman Gurung, he single handedly fought off an attack by 200 Japanese soldiers. He threw back two grenades and picked up a third one and it exploded in his hand and blew his hand off. He then continued to fight with his rifle one handed for over four hours all of thectime shouting at the Japs "Come on, fight a Gurkha!"
In a book on Market Garden I read years ago is this tale - perhaps true,perhaps apocryphal.
At Arnhem at a certain point when British forces were holed up in buildings close to the bridge, battered and bloody with nowhere to go the Germans on the other side of the bridge raised a white flag for a truce. One German officer walked across towards the other end of the bridge and a British officer went out to meet him. He asked the German "Can I help you?" The German replied in English, "I have come to discuss a surrender". The British officer replied, "Terribly sorry old chap, cannot help you, as we have no facilities for holding prisoners!"
You just have to love the dry British humour at a time like that!
Private Wakenshaw was from my home town. He was awarded the VC for firing his 2 pounder anti tank gun at German tanks. His position was shelled & he lost an arm but kept loading & firing til he was killed. There's a stained glass window in Newcastle Cathedral celebrating his gallantry.
That is pretty amazing. The ones that fight even when others would have given up, especially after losing a limb, before losing their life. Astounding.
For our tomorrow he gave his today, what a brave man....E
@@TheEclecticBeard I would recommend that you watch ‘The Greatest Raid Of All’ or the Chindits.
I've actually seen his VC & his 2 pounder gun when they were on display in the Durham Light Infantry museum.
Has a road named after him aswell.👍
Some people are mentioning ‘A bridge to far’ for the events of operation market garden but a better film is ‘Theirs is the glory’ as it is filmed by the very soldiers that that took part in the battle but it’s also filmed a year afterwards so all the destruction is still there. It’s available on RUclips and is just over an hour long.
In the film there are NO actors or over dramatised events just soldiers documenting what happened during that battle.
I prefer A bridge too far but I'm bias. They were shooting it in my hometown as I was being born.
John Frost was one of the Military Advisers on a Bridge too Far. In one scene he said to Anthony Hopkins (who played Frost) “you got that wrong.”. “What did I do wrong there?” “No British officer would duck, let alone run, to avoid enemy fire!”
The movie does a decent job of conveying what happened. As a companion to Cornerlius Ryan's excellent book A Bridge Too Far, I think it does the job.
What a great shout. I watched that only a few weeks ago
Thanks for the tip, great to know.
Charles Hazlitt Upham, was a recipient of the Victoria Cross not once but twice! And the only fighting combatant, That guy was truly extraordinary big shout out to New Zealand!! 😁
And he quietly went back to being a sheep farmer in North Canterbury after the war.
Bravo, to the fine people of the 'Land of the Long White Cloud', a warrior people from both Poles live there. Hardy Scots and Hardy Maori. Humble, yet fearsome once roused. God bless them.
They wear all fighting....
One of 3 people to get the medal twice.
@@davidqbs The other two were doctors. Most would argue getting it while not being able to defend yourself is a higher honor, on the flip side Charles is distinguished because he was a combatant and that honor wasn't normally given to combat soldiers. Either way you look at it all three of them are extraordinary.
Here's one you may find interesting about Charles Upham a New Zealander who won 2 VCs.
Theirs a famous saying "British Officers Don't Duck" the British Officer Core has some of the highest casualty rates in the world, and through their bravery and example their inspire their troops to acts of heroism.
This might be the best reaction video I've ever seen
Watching someone else truly _appreciate_ something really warms my salty British heart
In my (worthless) opinion this is your finest reaction yet.
As an Englishman that has never served but lost a grandfather and a great-grandfather to WW1 and WW2 I have an endless respect for these men. and your reactions, stunned and silent as they oft times were. replaced a thousand useless words.
Beautifully and respectfully done Sir.
Thank you.
The VC winners are all legends every single one.
I've read a number of citations for VC recipients, I've always described it to people as something out of a video game, done in real life. Absolute respect to all of them.
In comparison to the VC, Medal of Honour winners were awarded merely for bravery - you don't even have to have succeeded in your mission, it could be a complete failure and you'd still be awarded a MOH. As noble as that is, this isn't enough for the VC. To earn a VC, you literally have to stage your own one-man Battle of Thermopylae but unlike the Spartans, you have to win. With a limb missing. And then you have to keep winning. The criteria is not just bravery but "most conspicuous bravery" and that is what sets it apart from all others
Hi Alan! I love your reactions but your heartfelt reaction and real feeling on what is a sacred ground subject made me feel pride and, humble two! My Dad was a Bofors Layer, (front left seat) and part of 30 corps.; 123LAA RA. He landed on the 2nd wave on Sword Beach aged 20 and was later part of operation ‘Market Garden’. He had a very tough time, particularly at Nijmegen! He was in battle with the US 101 and 82nd Airborne. I was born in 1964, and grew up with my Dad screaming at night, most nights! I love him and miss him so much! I always think: WHAT WOULD DAD DO”! The US and British fought and died together and still do.! Thank you Alan, your reaction means so much to me! When you get to come to the UK I would be privileged to take your family at ‘The Ritz’. You and I can have a few bottles of champagne, (not Moët). Keep doing what you do Alan!!! I’m crying but I’m grateful too! Take care Mate and keep safe!
Good to see another Eamonn out there... Mrs C ,s uncle RIP who served with the East Lancashire regiment at Nijmegen sadly succumbed to his wounds ,her dad was with the Chindits, my dad was with the RAF ,Egypt Libya and Malta and finally in Germany, best wishes from the wirral...E
@@eamonnclabby7067 Hi Eamonn! Total respect and gratitude to your wife’s Uncle, her Dad and your Dad! May they sleep soundly, at last, and finally at peace! These are the Hero’s!!!
Many thanks ,sir,peace and love from the wirral....E
What a lovely reply. I agree with you about the respect he gave our troops listening to J Clarkson presenting.
They were ordinary People, until their decisions & actions in a desperate, situation.. Turned them into extraordinary People! ... Thank You for reacting to this Eclectic, Your Humanity shines through as always! 👍🇬🇧🇺🇸
Thanks for reacting to this amazing story.
In the UK we have days to commemorate the fallen of the First World War and subsequent wars in which the UK and her Commonwealth faught called Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday (Remembrance Day is on the 11th November, the anniversary of the armistice ending the First World War, and Remembrance Sunday being the closest Sunday to the day (14th November this year), which is when the ceremonies are held) and from what I understand, it's basically the UK's equivalent of the US's Veteran's Day and Memorial Day but it's carried out very differently; it's treated more like a funeral than a celebration, at which the whole country falls silent for two minutes at 11:00 GMT.
My best friend who I grew up with joined the RAF a couple of years ago and is going on his first deployment in Afghanistan in October, so I'll be attending my local service this Remembrance Sunday where we used to take part in parades in the Air Cadets together. I definitely recommend tuning in this year's live stream of the service in London if you can on Remembrance Sunday (I think it begins at like 05:00 EST so you might be asleep at that time). If not then definitely watch some services of previous years
Love your videos mate and much love from the UK 🇺🇸❤️🇬🇧
Jeremy Clarkson, the presenter, is an utter genius when it comes to story telling, I highly recommend his documentary “the greatest raid of them all”
Great docu
And his documentary on PQ17
Interesting thought from King George V "The King feels so strongly that, no matter the crime committed by anyone on whom the VC has been conferred, the decoration should not be forfeited. Even were a VC to be sentenced to be hanged for murder, he should be allowed to wear his VC on the scaffold."
As for selling a VC, It could be a way to raise funds after falling on hard times, or families selling It so as not to argue over it.
These days if a winner was found to have said something not PC there would be a clamour for it to be taken off them. The balance and context no longer exists in our society
@@redf7209 Yes, I'm sure modern "cancel culture" would burn down their own neighbourhood to demand it be rescinded.
At least 2 men sold their VC's during their lifetimes. One, as far as I remember, did so to raise money to re-roof his cottage.
@@redf7209 not true, it still cannot be removed.
@@fivenine5905 I never said it could be, but this wouldn't stop the victim industry campaigning for it
I've seen this programme about 5 times & i still get tears in my eyes every time, there are just no words to describe these people or their story's . Utter respect! Thank you EB for a great video!
The mindfullness and thoughtfulness in your video, whilst speaking about those who have sacrificed, is in itself a mark of great respect. I hope that generations to come will remember our true hero's and give as much thought to their efforts and sacrifices as individuals such as yourself.
From what I can gather the MOH has been issued to 3,525 recipients, currently there's been 1355 VC's won. Both are still in such tiny numbers when compared to how many soldiers have fought and lost their lives defending us.
The VC first issued in 1857 with the MOH issued 1861, so history wise both honours aren't that far apart.
I'm not saying winning an MOH is any easier than a VC, there's a lot of variables to consider. Both are the sign of someone who did something superhuman, so far beyond what any normal person would think of that it sounds crazy when talked about.
I can never repay these incredible men for everything they did. Heroes to a man, then and now.
I had the great privilege and pleasure to become friends with Ray Sherrif, a veteran of the Western Desert, the landings in Sicily and a survivor of the battle of Arnhem. He was in his eighties when I got to know him, but was still incredibly active, cycling long distances on the back of a tandem with accompanied by a sighted rider and often to be seen on his exercise bicycle in his garage. As far as I can remember, I think he was 83 when he did his last parachute jump into Arnhem to mark the 60th anniversary of the battle.
I was teaching in the school next door and, as smoking was forbidden on the campus, a group of us ended up on the street round the corner. Betty, Ray's wife, saw us and invited us into their garden and to use their garage if it was raining. Wonderful people! Ray's account of his service was always delivered with humour and with absolutely no regrets, despite his horrific injuries.
He told me of the moment he was shot in the chest in the desert -
"I rolled down the back of a dune and lay there. The Sergeant Major came up to me and asked me what had happened. 'Shot in the chest, Sgt Major,' I answered." To which the Sergeant Major replied, asking him why he hadn't shaved that morning . . . He couldn't stop laughing when he told me this. And, his description of his experiences at Arnhem, his injuries and the fact that he credited the German doctors for saving his life were spell binding.
When he died, I attended his funeral at Brighton Crematorium. There was an Honour Guard of young soldiers from the Parachute Regiment and many friends there to say their farewells.
An amazing man!
Here's a link to an article, giving more detail of his life and service. I hope it works: www.paradata.org.uk/people/raymond-g-sheriff
Brilliant reaction Alan, mate. One of your very best. You simply HAVE to do the follow up docco to this. The Raid on Saint Nazaire. It was the ultimate suicide mission and is utterly astonishing. The bravery shown in the face of death is incredible. You couldn't write it.
Anyone that has VC after their name deserves everyone's total respect. Thanks for watching this.
Beautiful words at the end, my friend. We all love the heroes that died for us in such incredibly brave ways.
I've done a ceremonial guard on the V.C. of Pvt. Martin O'Meara V.C., an anti-rain Guard for the V.C. of Pvt. Tom Starcevich V.C. and met Warrant Officer Keith Payne V.C. Each time was a goose bump moment. WO Keith Payne V.C. is a wonderful man and is great with kids. I have a great picture I took of him with the 13th Brigade Warrant Officer. I was offered to get a picture with him, but I don't need one, I'm not going to forget shaking his hand. I really wouldn't worry about the upcoming generations, there will always be those that run toward the danger. I find it sad that there is a market for Victoria Cross's. However, the money has been a saving grace for more than one family. A rich Aussie businessman named Kerry Stokes has (I believe) now bought 7 Victoria Cross's for the Australian War Memorial.
There have been 4 awards of the Victoria Cross for Australia since that documentary, plus the award of a Victoria Cross for actions during the Second World War.
Mark Donaldson V.C.
Ben Roberts-Smith V.C.
Daniel Keighran V.C.
Cameron Baird V.C.
Edward "Teddy" Sheean V.C.
Almost an hour and half dedicated to the awarding of the VC and not 10 mins shows exactly how respectful you are. Fantastic stuff. Thank you
I've visited the city of Arnhem and the Memorial to the Airborne troops.
Through out the city the Winged Pegasus flag of the airborne division fly, the people have never forgotten the sacrifice made to try to free them. Each year on the anniversary Dutch school children lay flowers on the graves of the fallen at the War cemetery.
totally agree... their dedication to remember our dead, as well as the Polish and Americans who participated in Market Garden is fantastic
However ,if only the British high command and general boy browning had listened to the Dutch underground,and understood from Dutch milltary exercises prior to 1940 that the thrust down one highway like thirty corps did... Well none of this would have happened...maybe a broad Patton inspired attack would have been better... Afterall the gun was cooked by this staged...and all over by the shouting...
That's so nice of them.
@@roybennett6330 Please don't insult this conversation and the bravery of the people we are honouring here by mentioning the Patton. The man was an egotistical, self gratifying moron who would ignore orders if it suited him or he just took fright (like at Falaise). He was a danger to his own men and especially any Brits he was supposedly fighting with (like in Sicily). Ike made his biggest mistakes in not firing him in the 3 chances he had.
My Dad's cousin Sgt Stan Bralee was a glider pilot on the Arnhem raid and was killed there. While I was serving with the RAF in Germany I went to see the memorial which his name is inscribed.
There have actually been 4 VCs awarded since this documentary was aired. Of those four, two - Johnson Beharry (in Iraq) and Joshua Leakey (in Afghanistan) are alive, and the other two (Bryan Budd and James Ashworth, both Afghanistan) were posthumous.
I've followed you maybe 2 years I love the way your comment when it's comedy or historic, you come across a good man with true beliefs of life
Initially the V,C was going to be inscribed with the words
"For Bravery"
but queen Victoria actually overruled this by saying that the word didn't separate its recipient from the pack as in her words "all my soldiers are brave" so instead they went with the words
"For Valour"
and in the official statement for the criteria of receipt they use the word gallantry instead of bravery.
The most potent line from this whole thing is the statistic about how many of these men were the responsible elder brother in a single-parent or large family. They're someone who's grown up fast, got used to sacrificing their own needs for those of the people in their care, and when they see these people they love getting cut down, they will do ANYTHING to stop that happening. It's not about death or glory, it's about family.
Jeremy Clarkson might be considered a knob in Top Gear, but here he has a respect for these heroes. Cudos Jezza!
@@stevehughes6627 Well he is a bit of a tosser but he's also very entertaining and a great presenter. I'm not sure I'd like to know him, but I definitely like watching him on TV.
Similarly, I thought I liked James May until I saw a clip from in Japan where he had a completely juvenile argument about a shot and for some reason included it in the cut. I now know I'd think he's a wanker in person (as his crew probably does), but I still enjoy watching his stuff.
Show me the responsible child in a family, either the oldest or youngest and I will show you a potential hero
It makes sense for the medals to be made out of a "low value" metal (the metal is probably valued higher due to the fact that it is the only one that makes the VC). That way the honour of receiving the medal isn't devalued by a relative selling it for the raw material value. If it was made from a precious metal then it could be sold, melted down and made into something else. With the VC the only true value is with it remaining as a VC medal.
The metal was chosen as appeasement to the top brass who did not want lower ranks getting medals. Queen Victoria was a genius choosing a cannon captured by soldiers for the most prestigious medal in the world, earned almost entirely by the very people the top brass/upper classes did not want to celebrate.
The canon was captured by a reckless act of valor. Infact it would of probably earned a few VCs it's self if such a notion existed at the time of the action.
It was an act of great foresight to make the medals out of base metal
After seeing that programme i feel a absolute rsole for the thoughts and feelings iv'e had for Clarkson. All i can say is I'm ashamed of myself and brilliantly presented. Thank you Mr Clarkson.
My great grandfather was Christopher Augustus Cox and he was awarded the Victoria Cross medal and his is the one that is on display in London's imperial War museum.
On 13 March 1917 at Achiet-le-Grand, France, during an attack by the battalion, the front wave was checked by very heavy artillery and machine gun fire and the whole line had to take cover in shell holes. Cox, a stretcher-bearer, went out over fire-swept ground and single-handedly rescued four men. Having collected the wounded of his own battalion he then helped to bring in the wounded of the adjoining battalion. On two subsequent days he carried out similar work with complete disregard for his own safety.
honestly its so humbling to hear of these stories and i love to hear everything that is Great about my great country and it truly makes me feel proud to call myself a Great British Citizen as i am able to say these are the stories of my fellow countrymen and i hope all that i do in my life makes their sacrifice worth it.
Anyone who can carry out light admin straight after having their leg blown off, deserves a medal.
Wonderful documentry fully respected by yourself. After seeing this and just like you i thank that generation of all countries for our freedom. The ending had quite a significant remark about how the word Hero is being abused within the English language when football players and other celebs are being called a hero. I did not notice you said anything wrong but your awareness is in itself a quality more people could add to their persona in todays society.
Jeremy Clarkson did a wonderful job doing this Documentary. The Twist at the end is Simply Superb
Just watched this video of yours reacting to this brilliant documentary. I personally had the pleasure to meet our Australian hero Keith Payne VC who is featured in this video. I knew of him as I was a nurse at a Vietnam Veterans Hostel, he was humble and quiet and still had that steely look in his eyes. At no stage did he ever speak of his medal and was just interested in the men we had there and how they were and if they needed anything, this is the essence of a hero always thinking of others at all times. Ty for your reaction
Keep Safe Keep Strong 🦘🦘🦘🦘❤❤👍👍
My Father was taken prisoner in Arnhem. He was treated with a great deal of respect by German soldiers.
My great uncle fought there as well when I told him I was joining the army he was dead against it
WW2 history is full of anti-German propaganda.
@@vaxfiles9529 well they did start it
@@vaxfiles9529 genocide will do that! The fact you cannot differentiate between the country as a whole and an individual beggers belief
@@vaxfiles9529 Victor's write history
Listening to your final thoughts really touched me.....these guys were the real heroes, we live in social freedom because these guys fought for it.........god bless them , btw im an athiest but i bless their sacrifice
I had the pleasure of knowing a gentlemen that was honoured with the Victoria Cross WW2 served with the Indian Army
And they never say, humble and brave
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
🙏🏼🌹
Good to see Binyon's words as written. They were mangled in 'The Family of Blood'
May I say as a British chap myself, you showed this documentary the honourable men in it and the Victoria Cross the degree of respect that I in turn respected, often you see these American Generals with most there uniform covered in medal ribbon but the British are so much more reserved in giving out medals 🎖️ as we don’t tend to give them out for Willy nilly like for guarding a car park (car lot). 😂
My great grandfather got the victoria cross in first world war , he saved lives and came back to yorkshire with sickness from damage to his lungs by mustard gas , laura
You must be very proud and I expect you are a remarkable woman.
Amazing the gift our forbears gave to us at such great cost to themselves 💫
Respect.
That's horrendous, soldiers now are very lucky it's a war crime to use gas attacks now
@@HappyBear376 FFS, just because she is a female you are on the prowl. "I expect you are a remarkable woman". Jesus, you don't even know her. What? You expecting a conversation and then maybe a phone number??? 😂 Absolute sad.
My great grandfather never won the VC but similar to yours was gassed in the war and retuned home after his service with damaged lungs which affected his health until his death from the damage in the 1920's. His hand coloured photograph hangs in my mothers hallway, when she passes, it will hang in mine and my daughter and nieces are determined it will hang in one of theirs after my passing. I have his service medals and his silver plated cigarette case given to him by a German serviceman.
My dear departed father had been in the British army since he was 14 years old. During the war, he earned, one of the few, the DCMs (Distinguished Conduct Medal) and was presented to King George. So very proud of him. He would never tell me why he earned that medal.
He is lucky to be departed, finally he got to be away from that sh1t nation, only to return to be given that medal, that sucks. If it were me i would decline that medal and say rather than a medal i would like to see this country fall to crumbles. Then he would have my respect. Failure nation you live in is a clown country.
Ordinary people doing extraordinary things , bless them all 🙂❤
I would like to think that mr Kane’s thoughts whilst armed with the piat was “here kitty kitty”
6:02 There was no draft. Every able-bodied man over 18 was required to but themselves forward for service. My mums dad was sent away as he was a foreman in a factory and was required to train the women to do the jobs of the missing men. My dad's dad was sent back to the ammunition factory he was working at as he was a specialist in mixing the powders and chemicals, they both died in the 1970s but my dad's mother met a man and remarried in the late 80s. He is the only grandad I ever knew and was in a tank battalion in the second world war and was part of operation market garden which is when he met his first wife. After the war was over every remembrance day he returned to her village in rural Holland and said goodbye to his friends again and again. After the war he was a scout leader a police officer and even returned to the army a few times to help train soldiers but once he retired after his first wife passed away to raise their 5 children he continued being an absolute machine he ran his last half marathon at 84 years old and passed away in 2012, 4 months after I had named my second born son Joseph after his great grandfather Joseph Snelson. I miss that guy everyday and I miss his stories of the men he fought alongside. On the day of his funeral 3 Dutch man came over from that village and thanked him for return year after year and they told me a new story of how everyone in their village saw Joe as a hero. I so hope one day I can go to that village and say goodbye to him and his friends one last time.
Respect for the brave men of Arnhem. Those who were awarded medals and those who weren't. Please remember all of our brave servicemen. We will remember them.
I go to Arnhem most years … the Glider pilot regiment is the fore runner to my Regiment, Army Air Corps, some of the stories from the battle are mind blowing …you think how the hell … the fact they had to swim the Rhine ( cross the river at night )
I did the math, and 0.008 percent of American service members have won the Medal of Honour, and 0.004 percent of British Empire service members (this includes UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, India, South Africa, and many others) have won the Victoria Cross. The odds for either are insane, and seem to be similar in probability, until you realise that 0.008 is double 0.004, which means you are TWICE as likely to earn a Medal of Honour than you are to ever wear a Victoria Cross.
The main problem for the British soldier in WW2 was his General Officers, nearly all of whom had learnt their trade serving in WW1, warfare had changed drastically in the years between, but a lot of the British higher officer ranks had not. The German army had began to prize mental agility in its officer corps, the ability to think quickly, to modify a plan in the face of unexpected opposition, whereas the British high command was filled with moustache twirling, stiff upper lip, 'push on for victory' types. Special Forces such as Commandos and Paratroopers were regarded with disdain early in the war because of how 'un-British' they were. When they were used, the Generals didn't understand how to do so properly.
Couldn't agree more. Those blinkered fools cost us dearly
Have a look at the battle of Rorke's Drift (the film 'Zulu' shows the main points really well), where 11 VC's and 5 DCM's (Distinguished Conduct Medals) were awarded to the survivors. Also, worth taking a look at the incredible, legendary life of Anders Lassen, who was awarded the VC and had 3 Military Crosses too because of his actions and exploits in WW2. He died aged 25, after knocking out 2 machine gun bunkers and going for a 3rd, saving many lives in the process. The only man with a statue at both the SAS barracks and another at the SBS (Special Boat Service) barracks. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Lassen
Zulu inaccurately portrays Henry Hook as an ill disciplined drunk soldier when he was a teetotaler who obeyed the chain of command.
The fact that so many VC's were awarded was thought to be a cover for the disaster by the British Army at Islandwana (sorry my spelling may be off) and so those soldiers were often seen by their contemporaries as have not 'earnt' them as they were just 'there'.
@@michaels1422 As a BBC report in 2012 put it "It was an event which saw 11 Victoria Crosses awarded, more than for any single battle before or since. That may in part be due to Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli wanting to draw a veil over the huge defeat at Isandlwana earlier on the same day when a column of 1,800 well-armed British military were put to the spear. However, an analysis of the citations will show that the award of each VC was justly deserved." I'm sure that, as in any movie ever made, there was a bit of poetic licence apart from making out a teetotaller liked a drink - I don't think 'Men of Harlech' was actually sung as it wasn't a Welsh regiment, although the Warwickshire regiment had been stationed in Wales for the previous 6 years, and I don't think anyone ever said "Zulus! Thousands of 'em!" 🤣
@John Smith wow. I'll look at that. Thanks for the info.
@John Smith The buildings were put up for the film and the film crew built them so the local community could use them after they left
@John Smith Thanks
This documentary was made in 2003, in the years since only 7 more have been awarded. 5 of which were to New Zealand and Australian troops who now get their own VC rather than the British one.
I think if you consider the intensity of operations that troops from Britain, New Zealand and Australia have been involved in since 2003 it more than adequately demonstrates the level of valour recipients demonstrate.
Still a British medal awarded by a British Queen.
They wouldn't get it if they weren't in the commonwealth.
I remember watching this documentary quite a few years ago, Even back then it gave me a lump in my throat, Then to hear you say that the video was one of greatest things you have ever seen, It was an honour to see your reaction, Thankyou EB.
A German General who fought on both the Eastern and Western fronts, said that British Paras were by far the best soldiers he faced during the entire war.
Willhelm Bittrich
@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- Is that the name of the General, if it was, thanks.
@@ianpodmore9666 Yes. the quote was "In all my years as a soldier, i have never seen men fight so hard"
Do we know the creation of SAS was an English derived idea after WW1 for A Specialized Service Unit in future Arenas.
This first SAS unit comprised mainly of NZ Soldiers.
Since, our SAS Has operated covertly in most Arenas of Warfare with massive praise !
Would I be right to think you have served your country on the battlefield, for whatever the reason?
You may be keen on our view of the NZ SAS Recruiting Program, truly hard & humble Killers!
NZ SAS RECRUITMENT DOCO!
Would be interested in you're veiw!
Keep up the good work!
The stories of these men are incredible. To completely disregard their own personal safety, thus endeavoring to preserve the safety of their own men, their friends, their brothers in arms, the appropriate words to describe my admiration for these men do not exist.
Regardless of the objectives of any war, the first thought in any soldier's mind is surely to make sure that the man standing next to them has the best chance of getting home unscathed. The men in these stories have taken it to an extreme level. And as Jeremy says, it's a case of how many more people would have died, had they not been the ferocious warrior they were in these moments.
While Major Cain is the main focus of the show, as Jeremy said, he could have centered this documentary on any one of these VC winners. All of their stories are astonishing. I felt particularly emotional about Lachiman Gurung VC's story. Seeing his expression after Jeremy told his tale made my eyes brim with tears. He looked so haunted, like he could still see the faces of the men he killed, defending his position. He probably does. When I first saw that image of him, I just wanted to find him and hug him.
This documentary was made in 2003, and I'm not sure how many more of those VC winners are still alive today. I know that William Speakman VC died only a few years ago. But since this documentary was aired, the number of VC winners from the end of the second world war has gone up from 11 to 15. To the best of my knowledge, the last winner was Josh Leakey VC in 2015, and thus he became the only VC winner of the Afghanistan conflict.
To all of these men, brave beyond what any words can say, thank you.
As a Yorkshire lass, I am thrilled to see your white rose flag in the background. Respect!
Jeremy needs to make more historical documentaries
he has done so, from Normandy to Berlin...no doubt it is searchable
@@rmcguire7033 I think they just want more, so do I.
Good shout on those two though!
The VC is not just one country it’s for commonwealth troops also so makes it even more prestigious
Some Commonwealth countries now have their own Victoria Cross. NZ and Australia use the same metal and jewelers as the British. There's only been one recipient of the VCNZ so far, Corporal Willie Apiata of the NZ SAS.
@@urizen7613 I get why but it's a shame that the medal is not part of the VC history (meaning made from the cannon) do you know where their metal comes from?
@@acidflare8345 NZ and Australia do still
use the Crimean canon metal.
My favourite bit of trivia about the VC, is that no matter what other titles/awards/medals you receive in life that give you letters after your name, or how distinguished they are, the VC *always* comes first after your name.
also that it can never be taken from you. to quote jeremy "you could go to the gallows wearing it"
I watched this back in June 21, and again today, it's one my favorite reactions, I also had to resubscribe for whatever reason, YT acts in mysterious ways (not just your channel), I might start screen shotting so I can keep track of dropped subs!..
The VC is much, much harder to win than any other medal awarded by any country in the world. All British Soldiers look upon any holder as something akin to a god, someone inspirational, someone who deserves the utmost respect.
Clarkson made another documentary after this one about the commando raid on Saint-Nazaire definitely worth a watch as well
So is his documentary on the arctic convoy pq17.
This is probably the best reaction i've ever watched and i've watched a lot of reactions. It was a pleasure to experience this again with you and to see and hear your perspectives.
Two thoughts:-
1> I have drastically altered my own personal definition of what hero means
2> Major Robert Henry Cain VC is now my definition of what a hero is
love your reactions... thankyou for your service.
Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame is commentating! You've encountered him before. He's a great journalist and presenter in general.
Clarkson had another one of these about the commando raid on St Nazaire that's also worth reacting to, here's a link ruclips.net/video/SCMCr2Kh1wI/видео.html
i agree if i remember correctly one of the german offficers reccomended one of the British commando's for a medal he was so impressed!
@@jollyroger5147 yes a Sergeant Durrant I believe