A prestigious award could well have takers ready to pitch in any ransom sum just to acquire it.And yes this time it has been taken only for the love and rememberence of a brother.The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.The Victoria Cross, the highest honour for gallantry in the armed forces, was first awarded by Queen Victoria in 1854.
A victoria cross medal which was awarded to Flight Lieutenant Bill Reid was bought over by a female collector named Melissa John for a whopping 3,48,000 pounds.This huge price has been the most highest ever recorded till date for Victoria Cross.Melissa John's Brother Christopher had died at the age of 47 years and had a penchant for collecting medals.So she had collected the coveted the Victoria Cross for her late brother who had yearned to own one during his lifetime.
Flt Lt Reid was honoured for his part in a bombing raid over Germany in 1943. He flew his Lancaster bomber 200 miles towards its target despite having been wounded in two separate fighter attacks. He also managed to get the plane back to the UK after the attack despite the death of his navigator and the fatal wounding of his wireless operator. During the struggle Reid showed tremendous courage and leadership by attacking the strongly defended targets in Germany.He penetrated 200 miles and conducted the bombing raid with utmost guts despite facing several setbacks.Flight Lieutenant Bill Reid was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery on a bombing raid on Germany in 1943 . A married father of two, he died aged 79 in Crieff, Perthshire.
Eight years after his death, his family decided to sell the VC.And that was how Melissa John acquired it.
However the officials at Spink were optimistic about the price paid for acquiring the award as they felt that the award resembles an extraordinary act of gallantry so therefore the staggering price paid was very much justified to possess the honour.
And this proved to be a record smasher of sorts.As the previous record for the Highest price paid for a Victoria Cross was set in 2004 for a paltry 2,30,000 pounds.
The Highest price paid for a Victoria Cross was set by Melissa john a bidder at Spink for 3,48,000 pounds at London,United Kingdom on November 20,2009.
A victoria cross medal which was awarded to Flight Lieutenant Bill Reid was bought over by a female collector named Melissa John for a whopping 3,48,000 pounds.This huge price has been the most highest ever recorded till date for Victoria Cross.Melissa John's Brother Christopher had died at the age of 47 years and had a penchant for collecting medals.So she had collected the coveted the Victoria Cross for her late brother who had yearned to own one during his lifetime.
Flt Lt Reid was honoured for his part in a bombing raid over Germany in 1943. He flew his Lancaster bomber 200 miles towards its target despite having been wounded in two separate fighter attacks. He also managed to get the plane back to the UK after the attack despite the death of his navigator and the fatal wounding of his wireless operator. During the struggle Reid showed tremendous courage and leadership by attacking the strongly defended targets in Germany.He penetrated 200 miles and conducted the bombing raid with utmost guts despite facing several setbacks.Flight Lieutenant Bill Reid was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery on a bombing raid on Germany in 1943 . A married father of two, he died aged 79 in Crieff, Perthshire.
Eight years after his death, his family decided to sell the VC.And that was how Melissa John acquired it.
However the officials at Spink were optimistic about the price paid for acquiring the award as they felt that the award resembles an extraordinary act of gallantry so therefore the staggering price paid was very much justified to possess the honour.
And this proved to be a record smasher of sorts.As the previous record for the Highest price paid for a Victoria Cross was set in 2004 for a paltry 2,30,000 pounds.
The Highest price paid for a Victoria Cross was set by Melissa john a bidder at Spink for 3,48,000 pounds at London,United Kingdom on November 20,2009.
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