Comments on: What Makes a Hero? http://blog.oup.com/2010/05/heroes/ Academic insights for the thinking world. Wed, 22 May 2013 12:48:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Anthony Staunton http://blog.oup.com/2010/05/heroes/#comment-162212 Anthony Staunton Fri, 28 May 2010 13:23:29 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=9220#comment-162212 In 1940, the George Cross replaced the Empire Gallantry Medal not the Albert Medal. Nearly thirty years later in 1969, surviving recipients of both the Albert Medal and the Edward Medal were given the option of changing their medals to the George Cross. Tabloids might have called Bill Stone, Henry Allingham and Harry Patch, the last surviving servicemen of the First World War, heroes but I call them soldiers. In 1940, the George Cross replaced the Empire Gallantry Medal not the Albert Medal. Nearly thirty years later in 1969, surviving recipients of both the Albert Medal and the Edward Medal were given the option of changing their medals to the George Cross.

Tabloids might have called Bill Stone, Henry Allingham and Harry Patch, the last surviving servicemen of the First World War, heroes but I call them soldiers.

]]> By: Dick Wilkinson http://blog.oup.com/2010/05/heroes/#comment-162122 Dick Wilkinson Thu, 27 May 2010 16:10:11 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=9220#comment-162122 It is interesting to read this piece about changimng attitudes to heroism. I am also glad to see mantions of this society in your article. Society has changed a great deal since the late 18C but we have tried very hard to keep the awards we give commensurate with the bravery demonstrated in each act. Unfortunately we are not as well known as we were and members of the public frequently assume we conform to the US type of Humane organisation which is usually dedicated to animal welfare. Any clarification is always helpful. Our 2009 report whihc can be accessed from our web site should prove interesting to your readers. Dick Wilkinson/Secretary Royal Humane Society It is interesting to read this piece about changimng attitudes to heroism. I am also glad to see mantions of this society in your article. Society has changed a great deal since the late 18C but we have tried very hard to keep the awards we give commensurate with the bravery demonstrated in each act. Unfortunately we are not as well known as we were and members of the public frequently assume we conform to the US type of Humane organisation which is usually dedicated to animal welfare. Any clarification is always helpful. Our 2009 report whihc can be accessed from our web site should prove interesting to your readers. Dick Wilkinson/Secretary Royal Humane Society

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