LONDON – Lord Ashcroft’s renowned collection of Victoria Crosses (VCs) and George Crosses (GCs), the largest of its kind globally, will soon find a permanent home at the National Army Museum in London.
Collection Overview
Assembled over the past 40 years, the collection features nearly 250 VCs and a select number of GCs. It previously resided at the Imperial War Museum, where the dedicated Lord Ashcroft Gallery operated for 15 years before closing in September 2025.
Lord Ashcroft expressed his enthusiasm for the move: “I am thrilled to have found such a superb location for this unique collection of gallantry medals. I am so pleased that these VCs and GCs, spanning many major wars and conflicts of the past two centuries, will now be enjoyed by the public once again.”
He added that the National Army Museum shares his passion for the medals and the extraordinary stories of bravery they represent, anticipating a long-term partnership.
Museum Leadership Welcomes the Addition
Justin Maciejewski, Director of the National Army Museum, stated: “We are honoured to be entrusted with these VCs and GCs from the Lord Ashcroft Medal Collection. We are grateful to Lord Ashcroft for his continued generosity and commitment in championing these stories of extraordinary courage.”
Maciejewski emphasized that the medals fit seamlessly into the museum’s narrative of soldiers’ history and heritage worldwide, highlighting acts of valor within the Army’s legacy.
Chris Finney, a Trustee of the National Army Museum and Chair of the VC and GC Association, noted: “This rare and expansive collection spans centuries of military service, sacrifice, and extraordinary bravery across the Armed Forces.”
Finney highlighted the privilege of sharing the medals and their inspiring stories with visitors and online audiences for generations.
Highlights and Historical Significance
The VCs and GCs form part of the broader Lord Ashcroft Medal Collection, which also includes Special Forces decorations and awards for aerial and naval valor. Lord Ashcroft’s interest in gallantry awards stems from his late father, Eric, a young officer who participated in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944.
Among the treasures is one of only three VC and Bars awarded in the past 170 years, belonging to Captain Noel Chavasse VC & Bar, MC, a medical officer killed during the Great War.
Public Access and Future Plans
Since the gallery closure, the collection remains accessible digitally via Lord Ashcroft’s website. The full VC and GC display opens at the National Army Museum within the next two years, with select medals appearing in pop-up exhibitions starting in July.
Offered on long-term loan, the items will integrate with the museum’s existing artifacts, archives, and artworks. The institution plans exhibitions, educational resources, talks, tours, and digital content to explore the human stories behind the decorations.
Additional details on the partnership will emerge in the coming months. The National Army Museum, located at Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HT, operates Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. Visit nam.ac.uk for more.
