Many thanks to those who replied to my post. I've since found out that the National Library have a copy of the book. I have part of a letter from Tom's brother, Percy, dated 24/12/1899, which said: "I have not seen Tom yet, but word came yesterday that he and a man named Moore are recommended for Victoria Crosses for rescuing an officer who was wounded and subsequently died. When the news was received her the New South Wales Troops gave me three ringing cheers in compliment of being a brother of one who had won a Victoria Cross - the officers also warmly congratulated me." It must have been very disappointing for him not to receive it! Cheers Jan >> Does anyone have a copy of this book? I've just learned that Trooper Tom >> Morris of the NSW Lancers was supposed to be awarded a VC during the Boer >> War. There's mention of it at: >> >> >http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~pbtyc/ILN_1899-1900/Trooper_Morris_ >> VC.html#top >> >> However, a review of "The Featherbed Soldiers" by Neil Smith and Cameron >> Simpson says that it coveres "the non-award of a VC to Trooper Tom >Morris." >> >> I was wondering why he didn't receive it? >> >> Cheers >> Jan >

When talking of the VC in the period of the Boer War, it is well to keep in mind that it was the only award available to junior officers and "other ranks" for bravery. It had not yet assumed the degree of importance or status that it now commands. Now, of course, there is the DCM, MC, MSM, MM, MID and a dozen other methods of recognising gallantry and or superior service. That was not so in 1899/1902. details available at http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-medals/00-medals-cat-index.htm Ted ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jan Glasby" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, February 10, 2003 9:20 PM Subject: RE: "The Featherbed Soldiers"/ VC non-award > Many thanks to those who replied to my post. I've since found out that the > National Library have a copy of the book. > > I have part of a letter from Tom's brother, Percy, dated 24/12/1899, which > said: "I have not seen Tom yet, but word came yesterday that he and a man > named Moore are recommended for Victoria Crosses for rescuing an officer > who was wounded and subsequently died. When the news was received her the > New South Wales Troops gave me three ringing cheers in compliment of being > a brother of one who had won a Victoria Cross - the officers also warmly > congratulated me." > > It must have been very disappointing for him not to receive it! > > Cheers > Jan > > >> Does anyone have a copy of this book? I've just learned that Trooper Tom > >> Morris of the NSW Lancers was supposed to be awarded a VC during the Boer > >> War. There's mention of it at: > >> > >> > >http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~pbtyc/ILN_1899-1900/Trooper_Morris _ > >> VC.html#top > >> > >> However, a review of "The Featherbed Soldiers" by Neil Smith and Cameron > >> Simpson says that it coveres "the non-award of a VC to Trooper Tom > >Morris." > >> > >> I was wondering why he didn't receive it? > >> > >> Cheers > >> Jan > > > > ______________________________

Val Harris wrote: >When talking of the VC in the period of the Boer War, it is well to keep in >mind that it was the only award available to junior officers and "other >ranks" for bravery. It had not yet assumed the degree of importance or >status that it now commands. Now, of course, there is the DCM, MC, MSM, MM, >MID and a dozen other methods of recognising gallantry and or superior >service. > >That was not so in 1899/1902. The DCM was available during the Boer War and was awarded to Australians. It dates back to the Crimean War, being instituted in 1854. Being mentioned in Dispatches (MID) was also possible.