'I cannot believe that you can just ignore the people that contributed so much ...including their lives

WAR heroes took a final stand yesterday before their gallantry gongs are removed from display.

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Britain's “bravest of the brave” — holders of five Victoria Crosses and nine George Crosses — saw the medal haul for the last time before they are locked in a vault.

It comes as the Imperial War Museum prepares to shut the Lord Ashcroft Gallery on May 31.

Lord Ashcroft, the philanthropist the exhibition is named after blasted the decision, saying: “The behaviour of the Imperial War Museum, a publicly funded body, has been little short of shameful.”

Britain’s veterans have also described it as wrong and short-sighted. And Iraq War hero Johnson Beharry, 45, said: “This stunning exhibition recognised the sacrifices made of those who have served and words cannot describe what it means.”

Mr Beharry, the first living soldier in almost 50 years to be awarded the VC, added: “It will be a sad day for the public when they can no longer experience it.”

The museum’s decision to close the gallery — suggested by some to be politically motivated — means there are just 28 days left to see the world’s largest collection of military decorations before they disappear, potentially abroad.

And yesterday, a week before VE Day marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, 14 bravehearts visited the Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, which tells stories of derring-do, before it closes for good.