Published in the Daily Express on 10 March 2025.
My disappointment at learning about the planned closure of the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum has been tempered by the touching reaction to the imminent loss of my medal collection from public viewing.
I remain hugely disappointed at the decision of the IWM to shut the gallery, which displays the world’s largest collection of Victoria Crosses (VCs), and that trustees did not have the courtesy of seeking a meeting with me to discuss it.
It was particularly galling learning about this through a third party.
However, not only have friends and strangers alike been incredibly supportive towards me but I have received two offers from Commonwealth nations to display my VC and George Cross (GC) collection abroad.
Although this would present some logistical challenges, I am touched that the collection is in such demand even if the IWM has decided that it will close the gallery on June 1 this year.
All the signs are too that there will be a large number of visitors who intend to visit the gallery – free of charge – before it closes.
By visiting, they will be able to view well over 200 VCs on display and a smaller number of GCs.
In particular, I hope that people will take in the importance of the medal group awarded to Captain Noel Chavasse VC & Bar, MC. For this is one of only three VCs and Bars – the equivalent of two VCs – ever awarded since the decoration was created by Queen Victoria in 1856. It is also the only VC and Bar of the Great War.
So I am optimistic that, given time, this medal collection will go on public display again. As Sir Winston Churchill, our great war-time Prime Minister, once said: “You never can tell whether bad luck may not after all turn out to be good luck.”
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