"It is ordained that in the event of a gallant and daring act having been performed by a squadron not under 50 in number, or by a brigade, regiment, troop, or company in which the admiral, general, or other officer commanding such force may deem that all are equally brave and distinguished, and that no special selection can be made by them; then in such case, the admiral, general, or other officer commanding, may direct, that for any such body of sailors or soldiers, one officer shall be selected by the officers engaged for the decoration; and in like manner one petty officer or non-commissioned officer shall be selected by the petty officers and non-commissioned officers engaged; and two seamen or private soldiers or marines shall be selected by the seamen or private soldiers or marines engaged respectively for the decoration, and the names of those selected shall be transmitted ... to the admiral or general officer commanding, who shall in due manner confer the decoration as if the acts were done under his own eye." There has been much discussion of late as to whether bars are ever awarded with the Victoria Cross. Undoubtedly, these additional marks of valour are at times given, but instances where they have been received are rare. It should perhaps be stated definitely, that where a second act of sufficient bravery is performed before the cross is conferred, details of the second act are engraved with details of the first upon the rear of the medal, but where the second act is carried out after the medal has been conferred, a bar is awarded and the £10 grant increased to £15. The fourth clause of the Royal Warrant of January 29, 1856, makes this point quite clear:-- "It is ordained that any one who after having received the cross shall again perform an act of bravery which, if he had not received such cross, would have entitled him to it, such further act shall be recorded by a bar attached to the ribbon by which the cross is suspended, and for every additional act of bravery an additional bar may be added." The brave deeds which have been rewarded by grants of the Victoria Cross make thrilling reading, but space cannot be spared here for recounting the most stirring of them. A brief description of each award is given in Mr. D. Hastings Irwin's book "War Medals and Decorations," whilst Mr. Philip A. Wilkin's "History of the Victoria Cross" also contains much valuable information. Before turning to the next medal, it may be interesting to add that crosses are often granted after death; a case in point was that of Lord Roberts's son who fell at Colenso in 1899. Another decoration awarded for bravery is the Order of Merit, which was instituted in 1837. Unlike other awards, it was divided into three classes; the third class being granted for the first conspicuous act of gallantry, the second class for a repetition of such act, and the first class for a third instance.