1857: British reinforcements fought their way through the mutineer lines besieging the Residency at Lucknow. Ten Victoria Crosses were awarded for gallantry that day:

Captain Maude, Royal Artillery
Captain Olpherts, Bengal Artillery
Lieutenant Macpherson, 78th Regiment
Surgeon Jee, 78th Regiment
Assistant Surgeon McMaster, 78th Regiment
Sergeant-Major Lambert, 84th Regiment
Lance-Corporal Boulger, 84th Regiment
Private Ward, 78th Regiment
Private Holmes, 84th Regiment
Private Mylott, 84th Regiment

1915: The British Expeditionary Force launched an assault on the German Sixth Army at Loos. The ground was flat, but dominated by huge slagheaps from the local mines. The Germans were well dug-in, with three lines of defences. The British chose to use chlorine gas for the first time, following its use by the Germans earlier in the year. In the south IV Corps made good early progress, taking Loos. I Corps was less fortunate, but still made small gains. However, reserves arrived far too slowly to allow the initial successes to be exploited, and the advance ground to a halt, with immense losses. No less than twelve Victoria Crosses were won that day:

Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas-Hamilton, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (posthumous)
Captain Kilby, South Stafforshire Regiment (posthumous)
Captain Read, Northamptonshire Regiment (posthumous)
Lieutenant Maling, Royal Army Medical Corps
Second Lieutenant Hallowes, Middlesex Regiment (posthumous)
Second Lieutenant Johnson, Royal Engineers
Sergeant Wells, Royal Sussex Regiment (posthumous)
Piper Laidlaw, King's Own Scottish Borderers
Private Vickers, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Private Kenny, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Private Peachment, King's Royal Rifle Corps (posthumous)
Rifleman Kulbir Thapa, 3rd Gurkha Rifles

1916: During an attack by troops of the Cheshire Regiment, Private Jones was providing cover when he spotted an enemy sniper. He attacked and, despite taking bullets through his helmet and coat, avoided injury and killed his opponent. He then spotted a pair of Germans displaying a white flag but still firing on the British. He killed both men, then worked his way into the German positions and forced the surrender of over 100 troops. He received the Victoria Cross.

1917: When ammunition ran low during a defence at Ypres against German attacks, Lance-Corporal Hamilton, Highland Light Infantry repeatedly braved enemy fire to collect more supplies from the rear, then distribute them to the troops in the firing line. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.

1940: The Luftwaffe attacked along the south coast, with one raid penetrating to attack aircraft works at Filton, Bristol. London was heavily bombed during the night.

1942: Four Mosquitoes of 105 Squadron, Bomber Command, launched a demanding low-level raid on the Gestapo headquarters in Oslo. The aircraft ran into German fighters as they approached the city, and one was shot down. However, the other three conducted a precision attack on the headquarters, in the midst of a built-up area, with four bombs direct on target. Sadly, the delayed-action fusing failed and none exploded.

1943: Company Sergeant Major Wright of the Coldstream Guards won the Victoria Cross for destroying three enemy gun positions during an attack on a hill near Salerno, Italy.

1944: At Arnhem, Major Cain's heroism over the previous days in command of a company of the South Staffordshire Regiment serving with 1st Airborne Division was recognised by the award of a Victoria Cross. Cain had refused medical treatment for repeated wounds, leading his men in a tireless defence of an isolated position. The decision had meanwhile been taken to evacuate what remained of 1st Airborne Division. Elements of 4th Battalion The Dorsetshire Regiment crossed the Rhine in an attempt to provide sufficient reinforcements for a rearguard action, but the current carried them towards the enemy positions where they suffered heavy casualties, only a handful reaching 1st Airborne.