THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF MODERN HEROISM 177
I read those out? ‘Rear Admiral Everett, Admiralty, considers it logical
to award the V.C. to women, but is adverse to the adoption as too much
sentiment would enter into and induce recommendations. Will send
further opinion.’ Lieut. General Sir Herbert Cox, India Office: ‘There
should be no objection to award to women provided that the standard
of merit is not lowered in any sense.’ Sir G. Fiddes, Colonial Office: ‘It
would look better and be more in accordance with public opinion to
make women eligible for the V.C. provided always that the standard of
the decoration is not lowered.’
MR LAMBERT: That was his own personal view; he was not expressing
the Departmental opinion and I do not think the Colonial Office has
any definite opinion on the subject.
CHAIRMAN: Major General Sir Godfrey Paine, Air Ministry: ‘With regard to
the question as to the inclusion of women in the V.C. Warrant, it is only
logical that they should be included subject to precise definitions as to
eligibility.’ The Naval Secretary to the Admiralty notifies officially that
the Admiralty do not favour extension of V.C. to women. Mr Delev-
ingne, Home Office, remarks that there are precedents for the award of
the Albert and Edward Medals to women. General Ruggles-Brise, G.H.Q.,
France, ‘states that it is difficult to conceive that a woman could perform
services sufficient to merit as award of the V.C. at the present standard.
The Army Commanders, however, are generally of the opinion that there
is no objection to civilians, and therefore women, being eligible for the
Victoria Cross, so long as the present high standard is maintained and
any tendency to forward recommendations for sentimental reasons is
sternly repressed. The Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief concurs with
the above opinions.’^45
Having read off the official opinions, Ponsonby then opened the floor
for debate by declaring his own personal opposition to the proposal on the
grounds that it would make women combatants in the eyes of the enemy.
He was in this sense a creature of Haig’s heroic ideal:
a civilian or a man of any sort might become a combatant and take the
fight to the enemy, but women could never be in a position to fight
under any conditions. A woman might save a life, might possibly bring
a man back or anything of that sort but the idea the V.C. is now given
for, exceptional service in the presence of the enemy, means that women
will have in future to be considered as combatants.^46
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