Lord Ashcroft's Esteemed Victoria and George Crosses Collection Finds New Home at National Army Museum

Lord Ashcroft's Notable Medal Collection Finds a New Home

Lord Ashcroft’s extensive collection of Victoria and George Crosses is set to be housed at the National Army Museum in London. This remarkable assembly of bravery medals has been recognized as the largest of its kind globally and is comprised of nearly 250 Victoria Crosses alongside several George Crosses. Previously, these medals were displayed at the Imperial War Museum in London, which closed the Lord Ashcroft Gallery after 15 years of showcasing this significant collection.

Lord Ashcroft expressed his excitement about the new arrangement, stating, “I am thrilled to have found such a magnificent venue for this unique collection of gallantry medals. I am particularly happy that these Victoria and George Crosses, which commemorate numerous great wars and conflicts over the last two centuries, will now be accessible to the public once more.” He added that the National Army Museum shares his passion for the medals and the incredible tales of heroism associated with them.

Justin Maciejewski, director of the National Army Museum, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to exhibit these medals. He stated, “We are honored to have been entrusted with these Victoria and George Crosses from Lord Ashcroft's Medal Collection. We are grateful for his ongoing generosity and commitment to promoting these extraordinary stories of bravery.” The museum aims to illustrate the history and legacy of soldiers and their sacrifices worldwide through these medals.

Chris Finney, a trustee at the National Army Museum and chair of the VC and GC Association, highlighted the collection's historical significance: “This rare and extensive collection spans centuries of military service, selflessness, and exceptional bravery in various forces. We are privileged to share these medals and the inspiring individual stories they represent with visitors and the wider public.”

Lord Ashcroft’s journey of collecting these honors began in 1986 with the auction purchase of a single medal group. The Victoria Cross, established by Queen Victoria in 1856, is recognized as the United Kingdom's most esteemed accolade for bravery in the face of the enemy. Similarly, the George Cross, instituted by King George VI in 1940, honors acts of courage not conducted in the presence of the enemy and has also been awarded to civilians for valorous deeds.

The Lord Ashcroft Medal Collection, which these Victoria and George Crosses are part of, also includes awards for special forces and valor medals awarded for bravery on land, in the air, and at sea. Lord Ashcroft’s enduring enthusiasm for these honorable distinctions was initially inspired by his late father, Eric, who served as a young officer during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944.

Among the notable distinctions in the collection are three Victoria Crosses and Bars, the equivalent of two Victoria Crosses, which have been awarded in the past 170 years. One significant medal group was awarded to Captain Noel Chavasse, a medical officer who served during World War I and was tragically killed in action.

After the closure of the previous gallery, Lord Ashcroft made his collection digitally accessible through his website. This new partnership with the National Army Museum will allow the public to visit and be inspired by the remarkable tales represented by the medals. The VC and GC collection is expected to be displayed at the museum for the next two years, while some of the medals will be displayed beginning this July in pop-up installations.

The National Army Museum chronicles soldiers' history and heritage, alongside existing collections of objects, archives, and artworks. It aims to narrate the tales of soldiers and their service, including the origins of the Victoria Cross during the Crimean War.

The collection of Lord Ashcroft’s VCs and GCs will be lent to the National Army Museum on a long-term basis. Beyond just exhibiting the medals, the museum will also implement a program featuring exhibitions, educational materials, lectures, tours, and digital content exploring the human stories of heroism behind these decorations.

Further details regarding the partnership between Lord Ashcroft and the National Army Museum concerning the display of his VC and GC collection will be announced in the upcoming months.