Museum retreat in medals row

THOUSANDS more people can see the world’s largest collection of Victoria Cross and George Cross medals in a victory for Britain’s “bravest of the brave”.

- By Stephen Beech

War heroes took a stand outside the Imperial War Museum in London last week in protest over the venue’s plans to remove their gallantry gongs from public display at the end of this month to make way for galleries about post-World War II conflicts.

Lord Ashcroft has gathered 240 VCs, the highest military decoration awarded in the United Kingdom, as well as 42 George Crosses, the highest civilian gallantry award.

Now museum bosses have retreated on their decision and agreed to keep the Lord Ashcroft gallery open until the end of September after he threatened legal action.