Remember their valor and gallantry.

Inscription on the Westminster Abbey Victoria Cross and George Cross Memorial. Hey folks, welcome to the Battles of the First World War podcast episode 9,

Psalm Valor on the battlefield.

Quick admin note, listener Tim Tiger pointed out that on episode seven in the 30th division's

fight for the Bricketerie factory ruins near Montaubin, it was the 20th King's Liverpool Regiment that took the site,

not the Manchester Pals. Thank you, Tim. We're here to do this and do this right and we aim

to be accurate. So greatly appreciate the corrections. Thank you.

We're veering from the narrative just a little bit to highlight some of the extraordinary

acts of courage, leadership, and valor that were done on the 1st of July 1916 by men of the British Expeditionary

Forces 4th Army on the Somme. Nine men won the Victoria Cross during the first day

of the Battle of the Somme.

Four of them came from the 36th Ulster Division that attacked at Teepval.

Each man awarded the United Kingdom's highest award for, quote,

acts of extreme bravery carried out under direct enemy fire, end quote, was justly due to be recognized as having met their requirements.

We will provide highlight on just four of these men.

I've chosen these men because their actions have resonated with me in a certain way.

But first, let's talk about the Victoria Cross.

For us Yanks and Sammies, the Victoria Cross is the equivalent of our Medal of Honor.

The Victoria Cross was first created on the 29th of January 1856, at the tail end of the Crimean

War by then Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for the above-mentioned acts of extreme bravery carried out under direct enemy fire.

The VC was created with the idea of it being awarded to any soldier or sailor of any rank.

In contrast, Imperial Germany's highest military award, the Porlet Merit, was almost exclusively reserved for upper echelon officers.

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