Peter Duckers has been a collector of British campaign and gallantry medals for thirty-five years and now specialises in awards to the Indian Army. He has written numerous magazine and journal articles about medals and is a Fellow of the Royal Numismatic Society, a member of the Orders and Medals Research Society and the Indian Military Historical Society. He is curator of the Shropshire Regimental Museum in Shrewsbury Castle.

• The origins of gallantry awards The introduction of a standardised system of reward The impact of the Russian War, 1854-6 The creation of the Victoria Cross Description of the Victoria Cross Major changes to Victoria Cross Warrants The Victoria Cross by campaign Examples of citations A Victoria Cross miscellany Further reading Places to visit Other useful information Index