The Victoria Cross is Britain's highest award. Established in February 1856 by Queen Victoria, the medal is is awarded for "most conspicuous bravery, a daring or preeminent act of valour, self sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. A total of 633 members of the armed forces were awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War. Of these, 187 had been killed during their act of heroism.