'I wish the Imperial War Museum could follow Express lead'

NO newspaper has done more to champion Britain’s war heroes than the campaigning Daily Express, according to the man who owns the world’s largest collection of gallantry medals.

- Giles Sheldrick Chief Reporter

Lord Ashcroft, the businessman and philanthropist, saluted our unstinting support for the Greatest Generation on the day his medal haul is removed from public display.

Since it opened in 2010, the Lord Ashcroft Gallery has displayed 230 Victoria Cross medals and a smaller number of George Crosses from his personal collection.

The Imperial War Museum is closing the Extraordinary Heroes exhibition today, reportedly because so few who remember the 1939-45 conflict remain alive.

The decision has sparked anger among former and current armed forces personnel, including Iraq War hero Johnson Beharry, 46.

He became the first recipient of the Victoria Cross in the 21st century on March 18, 2005, when he was presented with the medal by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Beharry was honoured for two separate acts of extraordinary courage while serving in Iraq with the 1st Battalion Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. He said: "This stunning exhibition recognised the sacrifices made of those who served.

Woke

"Words cannot describe what it means. It will be a sad day for the public when they are no longer able to experience it."