VC or Not to VC ?
There has been much discussion on Facebook about whether Lieutenant Colonel Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne should be awarded posthumously that highest of Gallantry awards, born of the Crimean War; the Victoria Cross.
Oldenburg
Finally, in 1945, Mayne led his troops into the heart of Germany at the head of the Allied advance. This campaign saw the tables turned on the SAS as they now became the victims of ambushes, snipers and mines.
On 9 April near Oldenburg, Mayne performed his last great feat of heroics, rescuing some of his men who had been pinned down in a ditch following an ambush. During this action, Mayne drove off or killed enemy snipers who were hiding in nearby farm buildings. He then dealt with enemies situated in a patch of woodland by coolly driving up and down the adjacent road in a jeep, while his gunner poured fire into the German positions.
One of his officers wrote that there could only be one explanation why Mayne was not killed: ‘The sheer audacity and daring which he showed in driving his jeep across their field of fire momentarily bewildered the enemy.’
For this action in Germany, Mayne was recommended for the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for gallantry. This was later downgraded to a Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
( https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/paddy-mayne )
As can be seen from this excerpt from the London Gazette there is precedent for awarding a Victoria Cross long after the actions for which it was originally considered. A precedent confirmed by an amendment to a Royal Warrant in 1920. Furthermore this amendment also made provision for ballots to be held to nominate an individual to be awarded.
These references would seem to strongly suggest that there is no reason not to posthumously award the Victoria Cross to Blair Mayne, and with Bar as well.
Sabre Rattler 