Order of Industrial Heroism
The Order of Industrial Heroism was a private civil award given in the United Kingdom by the Daily Herald newspaper to honour examples of heroism carried out by ordinary workers. Many of the 440 awards were posthumous.
The medal of the Order was designed by sculptor Eric Gill and issued in bronze with a burgundy ribbon. The medal bears the image of St Christopher bearing the Christ Child.
History
The Order was instituted in 1923[1] by the Daily Herald specifically to recognise the deeds of valour of those who had saved their fellow workers from danger or death. It was popularly known as the "Workers' VC".[2]
The institution of the medal was prompted by an incident in which four dockworkers helped control a major fire in the Liverpool docks, thereby saving the docks, shipping and a large part of the city, but were offered a reward of only £17, provoking a public outrage.[3]
The Daily Herald was the official organ of the Trade Union Congress and one of the world's best-selling newspapers at the time.
The award was presented up to 1964, when the newspaper closed.
See also
- British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
- George Cross
- George Medal
- Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
- Queen's Gallantry Medal
Further reading
- W. H. Fevyer, J. W. Wilson and J. E. Cribb (2000). The Order of Industrial Heroism. The Orders & Medals Research Society. ISBN 978-0-9539207-0-9