TEETHING PROBLEMS, 1856–1867 45
Of more immediate importance, however, was the fact that the warrant
did not specifically state that the VC could not be awarded for acts of
valour predating the conflict in the Crimea. As a result, a number of aging
heroes materialized out of the woodwork, petitioning the War Office for
recognition of their deeds. Some were ludicrous: John W. Castin wrote
the War Office on 15 March 1856 requesting a Victoria Cross apparently
because he was a wonderful person; he did not specify any act of heroism,
just that he was a deserving subject of her majesty. Others were more
specific. C. J. Bourke laid claim to the medal for his part in the storming
of Badajoz, although he did not specify if it was the first (1811) or second
(1812) battle for possession of that city. A Lieutenant Colonel McDowell, C.
B., felt himself deserving for services rendered ‘during the American War’
(we can only hope he meant 1812). The grandfather of all of these hoary
heroes was a Frenchman, Monsieur le Baron Despiaux. His original letter of
submission is no longer extant, but a draft of the reply to his claim informed
him that the award was open only to British subjects, notwithstanding the
‘services rendered by you in the years 1793 and 1794 to British Officers of
distinction who had fallen into your power.’ All such requests were quickly
and firmly denied, as the War Office had no intention of dealing with a
perpetual avalanche of self-seeking heroes long after the fact of their alleged
heroism.^6 The reply to McDowell was typical, concise and leaving no room
for argument:
I am directed by Lord Panmure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 22nd instant, forwarding a statement of the grounds on which
you consider yourself entitled to the Victoria Cross for your services
during the American War, and I am to acquaint you in reply that it is
not intended that the grant of this decoration shall extend to deeds of
gallantry performed prior to the commencement of the present war. His
Lordship is unable to advise her Majesty to confer it upon you.^7
Having disposed of the heroes of the past, the military bureaucracy turned
to deal with the heroes of the present. The publication of the warrant and
the absence of precedent brought as many contemporary heroes to the
fore as those claiming the Cross for previous wars. The War Office quickly
established two basic precepts:
Having laid before Lord Panmure your letter of the 29th ultimo, and
its enclosures, recommending that the decoration of the Victoria Cross
should be conferred on assistant surgeon O’Callahan, I am directed to
lily
(lily)
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