Extraordinary Heroes by Julia Colls

The Lord Ashcroft Galley, Extraordinary Heroes, is a major new permanent gallery exhibiting the world's largest collection of Victoria Crosses.
The medals in the gallery are arranged into seven qualities of bravery: leadership, sacrifice, aggression, skill, initiative, endurance and boldness. The preview day I went, I was lucky enough to meet and chat to both Matt Croucher GC and Johnson Beharry VC, who were at the Gallery to talk about their own extraordinary stories.
Matt Croucher GC showed me his severely damaged back pack, which was on display, next to his medal. Whilst on a covert night time patrol of a Taliban bomb factory, he tripped a wire linked to a grenade. He threw himself onto the bomb to smother the explosion and save others. Luckily he had a lithium battery in his pack, which took the force of the explosion. He survived the blast with minor injuries.
He now wears a replica of the GC as he told me the original is valued at over £200,000.  There is a lovely animation narrated by Matt using toy soldiers, which tells his wonderful story.
Johnson Beharry VC told me how the incredible Victoria Cross tattoo on his back took 64 hours to create. His story was incredible. He received his medal for twice saving members of his unit from ambushes in Al Amarah in Iraq.  He was shot in the head whilst helping others. The 42 soldiers, whose lives he saved, have all signed his helmet, which is on display in the gallery.
Also read a wonderful comic book, which brings his story to life, perfect for children!
Have a go at the wonderful interactive storyboard. ‘A Rational Mind’ about a mission to blow up a warship. The story of John Bridge VC.
Look out for the white bunny. White Rabbit was one of the code names used by the BBC to report that resistance operatives had got home safely.‘The white rabbit is back in the hutch'. Spot the lovely rag dolls made by Odette Sansom GC whilst she was held in concentration camp.  See her jacket, which she chose in dark fabric in case she got captured so it wouldn’t show the dirt.

Also look out for the story of Jack Cornwall VC. At the age of just 16 yrs he stayed steady at his post ready to follow orders even though he was horribly wounded. Most of his shipmates lay dead around him or had run for cover. He lost his life in the Battle of Jutland.
Find the wooden box covered with shark’s, which opens to reveal an extraordinary story. David Hay GC, after his ship had been hit and sunk, leapt into shark-infested waters to rescue a fellow crew member. As he dragged the man onto a raft Hay was attacked by a shark, which tore his clothes off.

Pick up your own ‘Have you ever been brave’ medal sheet and explore the gallery looking out for 7 incredible stories of bravery. Find the stories then stamp your own medals! My favourite was the story of Doreen Ashburnham who at 11 yrs put her arm inside the mouth of a wild cougar to stop it hurting her cousin. A very brave little girl.

It really is the most wonderful and uplifting exhibition, a must for small people and big people alike. You MUST go along and take all your family.

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