Established in 1856, the Victoria Cross has been awarded to service personnel for extraordinary valour and devotion to duty while facing a hostile force. Between 1858 and 1881 the Victoria Cross could also be awarded for actions taken "under circumstances of extreme danger" not in the face of the enemy. Six people (four Irish, one
English and one
Canadian) were awarded Victoria Crosses under this clause (one
in 1866 during the
Fenian raids, five for a single incident in 1867 during the
Andaman Islands Expedition), until it was amended in 1881 to only allow acts "in the presence of the enemy". It was awarded to members of the
British Armed Forces which included Irish service personnel until 1922. It is currently available to personnel of any rank in any service, and to allies serving under or with British Forces. It is the highest honour in the
Commonwealth honours system, placed before all other orders, decorations and medals. Both
Catholic and
Protestant officers and servicemen born in Ireland served alongside each other in the British Military. During the previous two centuries they had a common military background, and irrespective of class or creed many were decorated with the British highest award for valour. 30 Irish VCs were awarded in the
Crimean War, 59 Irish VCs in the
Indian Mutiny, 46 Irish VCs in numerous other
British Empire campaigns between 1857 and 1914, 37 Irish VCs in World War I, and eight Irish VCs in World War II. ==Recipients==