Canadian War Museum successful in its bid to acquire the Shankland Victoria Cross at auction

Canadian War Museum successful in its bid to acquire the
Shankland Victoria Cross at auction

Ottawa, Ontario, May 25, 2009 — The Canadian War Museum is delighted to announce its successful purchase at auction today of the Robert Shankland medal set, which includes both the Victoria Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal.

“Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Shankland’s story is an essential part of the national heritage of all Canadians” stated Mark O’Neill, the Museum’s Director General. “The story of this great Canadian and his contribution to our history deserves to be preserved in our national military museum.”

“The War Museum has done Canada a great service” says Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore. “This medal, and the heroism that earned it, are part of our proud history of service and sacrifice. On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Government of Canada and all Canadians, I salute the Museum for its commitment and support in honouring our past.”

With its successful purchase, the Canadian War Museum now holds 30 of the 94 Victoria Crosses awarded to Canadians in its collections.

The medal set was purchased with the assistance of the Museum’s National Collection Fund. The Fund, which is an ongoing fundraising initiative established in 2005 by the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, enables the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of Civilization to acquire artifacts that might otherwise be lost to Canadian national heritage.
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BACKGROUND
Lieutenant-Colonel Shankland Victoria Cross Medal Set

The Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross (V.C.) was instituted on February 5, 1856, with the first awards given to heroes of the Crimean War (1854–1856). It is the British Commonwealth’s highest award for military bravery.

Since its inception, the Victoria Cross has been awarded to 94 Canadians. Eight of these awards were for actions during the late nineteenth century and the South African War (1899–1902). The vast majority — 70 Victoria Crosses — were awarded for actions during the First World War (1914–1918) and 16 were awarded for the Second World War (1939–1945). No Victoria Crosses have been awarded to Canadians since, and its issue was discontinued when Canada instituted its own awards for bravery and gallantry during the late 1960s and