Hello Paul, It sounds like someone was being a bit premature. It's possible that he was recommended for a VC but the recommendation was rejected. This did happen and I can confirm that he didn't receive a VC. However the only other decoration he could have been awarded at that time was the Distinguished Conduct Medal but I can also confirm that he wasn't awarded a DCM either. He may have been Mentioned in Despatches (MID) instead but that's a long way removed from a VC unless the recipient didn't survive. Until recently the only combat awards which could be made posthumously were the VC or MID but it appears he survived the war. Regards, David ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Benyon <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 1:02 PM Subject: [BOER-WAR] Trooper Tom Morris > > I have the following extract which appears to imply that Trooper Morris > was to receive the VC, however a check through on-line sources and > correspondence with relatives alive now suggests that he never received > it: > > >From the Illustrated London News Dec 1899 - Apr 1900 I have the > following extract: > > "The Colonies should share the good things of the Empire has become more > than ever in accordance with the fitness of things. It is only right, > therefore, that the war in South Africa, which has united as well as > divided, should be the means of taking that most coveted decoration, the > Victoria Cross, to Australasia. > > Trooper Tom Morris, of the New South Wales Lancers, is the happy man > who, " for valour," is the recipient of the Cross that will mark him out > as a hero on his return to the Antipodes. Indeed, on his return through > London Trooper Tom Morris, V.C., is pretty sure of a welcome from the > citizens that will exceed in enthusiasm, if that is possible, the cheers > which formed the Colonial's send- off when they were outward bound." > > There is a photo of Trooper Morris at > > http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/ILN_1899-1900/Trooper_Morris_VC.html > > with links to letters of the period, the second of which also mentions > the VC. > > Could it be that he was merely recommended for the VC, but that at the > end of the day it was decided that his act of bravery didn't warrant the > award - and if not could it be that he received another award - and if > so what ? > > Paul