The Victoria Cross & George Cross Portrait Project has been an exceptionally challenging, yet rewarding. Individuals who have been awarded the Victoria Cross have been selected because they are worthy of Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand’s highest military award for their bravery and conduct in the field. Similarly those awarded the George Cross are civilians or military personnel who have displayed conspicuous bravery in and away from the field. These awards are not issued lightly. They are the very greatest honour for individual valour and merit. These individuals are the modern day heroes.
Johnson Beharry was the first living recipient for over 30 years and was the first recipient of the Victoria Cross since the posthumous awards to Lieutenant Colonel H. Jones and Sergeant Ian John McKay for service in the Falklands War. He is now one of only two serving holders of the Victoria Cross. The other is LCpl Joshua Mark Leakey of The Parachute Regiment. He is rightly proud of the fact that he is the only person from the Caribbean to have ever been awarded the Victoria Cross.
Johnson Beharry VC Portrait Sitting (Rory Lewis Photographer)