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Victoria Cross Medal

A Victoria Cross brass medal hanging from a royal blue ribbed ribbon.

Collection of Nova Scotia Museum History Collection, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 75.100.1

This is the Victoria Cross medal awarded to Able Seaman William Edward Hall in 1859. He was the first Nova Scotian and the third Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross. He received the medal for his actions in the Siege of Lucknow during the Indian Rebellion in 1857.

The Victoria Cross is the highest military honour of the British Commonwealth awarded only for extraordinary valour and devotion to duty while facing a hostile force. It is placed before all other orders, decorations and medals, including the Order of Canada. It is still so highly regarded that museums often exhibit replicas and keep the actual medal in their vaults.