“I have decided to create at once a new mark of honour for men and women in all walks of civilian life.”

80 years ago today, King George VI announced the creation of the George Cross. The award ranks alongside the Victoria Cross, and recognises acts of bravery away from battle.
Violette Szabo, an undercover agent, was captured and died in a German concentration camp, but she never gave up the identities of her peers.

Her George Cross was bestowed posthumously, and her young daughter Tania received the award from King George VI on her behalf in 1946.
The George Cross was awarded collectively to Malta in 1942, following hundreds of air raids.

In a letter to the Governor, The King said the award was “to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history.”

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📷" title="Kamera" aria-label="Emoji: Kamera"> King George VI visits Malta, 1943
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