The Imperial War Museum London occupies the former Bethlem Royal Hospital in Southwark. Permanent and special exhibitions cover the history of warfare and the sacrifice and effect of war on military and civilains since the start of the First World War.
Exhibits cover all the major conflicts since 1914 and include galleries explaining the effect of warfare on the civilian population. Notable exhibits include the A Family in Wartime and the Holocaust.
The museum contains a collection of over 200 gallantry medals along with a description of the circumstances of the award. The Victoria Cross is the highest military honour awarded for extreme bravery 'in the face of the enemy'. Over 1,300 medals have been awarded since the creation of the honour in 1857.
The George Cross is awarded for acts of extreme gallantry by civilians or members of the military where a military medal is inappropriate. The George Cross has been awarded over 400 times since the medal was created in 1940.
Please wait...