File:Victoria Cross Commemorative Grove, Dunorlan Park - geograph.org.uk - 1780322.jpg

English: Victoria Cross Commemorative Grove, Dunorlan Park The Victoria Cross Grove commemorates ten recipients of the Victoria Cross who had connections with the borough of Tunbridge Wells. The grove of 21 oak trees was planted during the winter of 1994/5 and dedicated on the 50th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, 8 May 1995.

The year 2006 marked the 400th anniversary of Royal Tunbridge Wells and the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross. To commemorate the two anniversaries, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council specially commissioned Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate, to write a poem, and artist Charles Gurrey to create a memorial sculpture. Extracts from Andrew Motion’s poem, Remembrance, feature on the sculpture.

The Victoria Cross was instituted by Queen Victoria on 29 January 1856 as a way of recognising acts of outstanding bravery by members of the armed services. Over time, the award has been extended to include other service personnel, including members of the Commonwealth forces.

Unlike some military awards, the Victoria Cross has always been open to all ranks. When awards are considered ‘neither rank, nor long service, nor wounds, nor any other circumstance or condition whatsoever, save the merit of conspicuous bravery’ are taken into account. Queen Victoria chose the design for the award and approved the wording ‘for valour’ on the front of the medal, beneath the royal crest. The Victoria Cross medals are made of bronze and are still cast from the metal melted down from cannons captured at Sebastopol during the Crimean War. The Victoria Cross takes precedence over all other Orders and medals.