OTTAWA -- Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean will unveil Canada's own version of the Victoria Cross today.
The original Victoria Cross was created by Queen Victoria in 1856 following the Crimean War and was awarded for "gallantry in the presence of the enemy." A total of 81 uniformed Canadians have received the honour, with the last being awarded in 1945. All of the Canadian recipients are now deceased.
The announcement means the Canadian system of military honours is now entirely our own, says military historian Jack Granatstein.
"It takes the last of the military honours that we offer out of British hands," said Granatstein. "The difference now is that the Victoria Cross would be minted for the Canadian government and given out wholly by the Canadian government. In other words, we wouldn't take one from the British stockpile and have the Queen award it."
--Canwest News Service
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