1900: Two soldiers from the 17th Lancers were ambushed by Boers as they scouted near a British picket. One of their horses was shot dead, and its rider thrown and badly injured. His companion, Sergeant Brian Lawrence

put the injured man on his own horse and sent him to ride to safety. He himself then retreated on foot for two miles, all the time holding the Boers off with his carbine until other cavalry rescued him. Lawrence received the Victoria Cross.

The 17th's most significant action was at Modderfontein in September 1901. C Squadron of the 17th was ambushed by Boers whom they mistook for British troops, was surrounded, and refused to surrender, which resulted in about 35 Lancers killed and many wounded.

1915: On Gallipoli, as the British consolidated the new beach-head at Suvla Bay, the Australian Light Horse attacked at Nek, suffering appalling casualties. Private Keysor of the 1st New South Wales Battalion won the Victoria Cross for throwing back at the enemy two grenades which landed in his trench, then following up over the next couple of days with effective bombing attacks of his won.

The New Zealand Brigade had captured Chunuk Bair ridge, and the first New Zealand VC of the war went to Corporal (later Colonel) Cyril Bassett, a signaller, who worked in the open under heavy fire to lay telephone lines back from the new position to headquarters.

His citation reads

For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the Chunuk Bair ridge in the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 7th August, 1915. After the New Zealand Infantry Brigade had attacked and established itself on the ridge, Corporal Bassett, in full daylight and under a continuous and heavy fire succeeded in laying a telephone-line from the old position to the new one on Chunuk Bair. He had subsequently been brought to notice for further excellent and most gallant work connected with the repair of telephone-lines by day and night under heavy fire.

Elsewhere on the peninsula, Lieutenant Forshaw of the Manchester Regiment held a position against continual fierce Turkish counter-attacks for two days. He was also awarded the Victoria Cross.

1940: The Luftwaffe continued only to probe British air defences with reconnaissance missions and minor attacks.

1944: A company of the Royal Norfolk Regiment, commanded by Captain Jamieson, succeeded in establishing a bridgehead across the River Orne in Normandy. The position became the immediate focus for counter-attacks by the 12th SS Panzer Division, which attacked with Tiger and Panther tanks. Two of the three British tanks supporting Jamieson were knocked out, but he and his men held on for 36 hours, repelling seven attacks.

Jamieson suffered two wounds, but refused to be evacuated until the position was safe. He received the Victoria Cross.