The Victoria Cross Hunters - In search of Valour

At number 17 in our Top 20 Victoria Cross recipients is Henry Tandey VC, DCM, MM — a man whose extraordinary courage goes far beyond the claim that he once spared Adolf Hitler.

Join Ron and Adam as we explore Tandey’s First World War service and his remarkable bravery at Marcoing on 28 September 1918. Under fierce enemy fire, he silenced a machine gun, repaired a vital crossing and later led a desperate bayonet charge — refusing to withdraw despite being wounded twice.

We also examine the disputed Hitler story, the famous Matania painting and Chamberlain’s alleged role in an account that continues to fascinate.

Where does the evidence end and the legend begin? And does Tandey deserve an even higher place in our countdown?

Follow The Victoria Cross Hunters – In Search of Valour as we uncover the stories behind Britain and the Commonwealth’s highest award for bravery.

In Episode 7 of The Victoria Cross Hunters, Ron and Adam share an abridged account of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, following the events through the experiences of some of the men awarded the Victoria Cross.

From the chaos at Isandlwana to the desperate defence of Rorke’s Drift, we explore stories of courage, sacrifice and survival—and the people behind the medals.

For Adam, watching Zulu first sparked his interest in the Victoria Cross. Years later, that fascination has taken him to the battlefields and the graves of many of the men whose stories feature in this episode.

Join us as we revisit two of the most famous battles of the Anglo-Zulu War.

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The Victoria Cross Hunters – In Search of Valour
Hosted by Ron Howard and Adam Pearce

Number 18 on our Top 20 list is revealed: Major General Sir Nevill Maskelyne Smyth VC.

Join Ron and Adam as we explore the life of a cavalry officer whose extraordinary career took him from Sudan and South Africa to Gallipoli and the Western Front.

We discuss the rescue at Omdurman that earned him the Victoria Cross, his dramatic escape during the Boer War, his leadership of Australian troops and his habit of borrowing aircraft to inspect enemy positions himself.

Our Top 20 follows remarkable lives beyond the medal, without ranking the value of individual acts of courage.

Support our campaign for a dedicated National Victoria Cross Museum—a permanent home to preserve and share the stories of these remarkable people.

Sign and share the petition:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/780335

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In Episode 5, we travel to Sheffield—the Steel City—to tell the stories of two of its Victoria Cross recipients: James Firth and Arnold Loosemore. Their acts of courage took place in different wars, but both men’s lives began and ended in Sheffield.

We also explore the choices made by our own family when two world wars called men to serve. Would we have enlisted in their place?

Join Ron and Adam for an episode about valour, family and the courage to make a choice.

Who is number 19 in our countdown of 20 remarkable Victoria Cross recipients?

In Episode 4 of The Victoria Cross Hunters: In Search of Valour, we reveal the extraordinary story of Charles Edward Hudson VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC — one of the most highly decorated British officers of his generation and the only former tea planter known to have been awarded the Victoria Cross.

Hudson survived the Somme and Passchendaele before being sent to the Italian Front. On 15 June 1918, with enemy troops breaking through near Asiago, he gathered a makeshift force and personally led a desperate counterattack. Despite being severely wounded by a bomb, Hudson continued directing the fighting as approximately 100 prisoners and six machine guns were captured.

His remarkable military career did not end there. We follow Hudson from the trenches of the First World War to Russia, Dunkirk and the senior commands—and clashes—that shaped his Second World War service.

Why does Charles Hudson earn nineteenth place in our countdown? Watch the episode and let us know whether you agree.

Please like, subscribe and join us as we continue our search for the stories, graves and memorials of every Victoria Cross recipient.

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How does an extraordinary act of courage on the battlefield become a Victoria Cross?

In Episode 3 of The Victoria Cross Hunters: In Search of Valour, Ron Howard and Adam Pearce trace the approval journey—from the original recommendation and supporting evidence, through the military chain of command, to final approval by the monarch.

Who could recommend someone for the VC? What evidence was required? Could a recommendation be rejected—or even refused by the King or Queen? And how has the process changed since the medal was created in 1856?

Join us as we explore the decisions, paperwork and people behind Britain’s highest award for gallantry.

Subscribe and follow our journey as we uncover the remarkable stories behind the Victoria Cross and search for the graves and memorials of every recipient.

#VictoriaCross #MilitaryHistory #FirstWorldWar #BritishHistory #VictoriaCrossHunters

In Episode 2 of The Victoria Cross Hunters: In Search of Valour, we begin our countdown of 20 remarkable Victoria Cross recipients.

At number 20 is Major James McCudden VC—one of Britain’s greatest First World War flying aces and its most highly decorated pilot.

Ron Howard and Adam Pearce explore McCudden’s extraordinary journey from teenage bugler and aircraft mechanic to elite fighter pilot. We examine the skill, courage and tactical intelligence behind his remarkable combat record, as well as the rumour connecting him to the Red Baron’s supposed 15th victory.

We also tell the tragic story of McCudden’s final flight, visit his grave at Wavans British Cemetery and explore the family memorial in Kent that commemorates the extraordinary sacrifice made by the McCudden family.

Please like, subscribe and join us as we continue our journey in search of valour.

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Welcome to the first episode of The Victoria Cross Hunters – In Search of Valour.

In this introductory episode, we explain who we are, how our fascination with the Victoria Cross began and the mission behind The Victoria Cross Hunters.

We discuss the history of Britain’s highest award for gallantry, some of our experiences searching for VC recipients around the world, and what you can expect from the podcast as our journey continues.

From battlefields and cemeteries to remarkable acts of courage and forgotten stories, our mission is to help ensure the people behind the Victoria Cross are remembered.

This is where our journey begins.

The Victoria Cross Hunters – In Search of Valour.