Charles Davis Lucas

The first recipient of Victoria Cross was a 20-year-old ship's mate named Charles Davis Lucas who during the Battle of Bomarsund in 1854 picked up a live shell that landed on the deck and threw it overboard. It exploded with a tremendous roar before it hit the water. Thanks to Lucas's action no one on board was killed or seriously wounded by the shell. He was promoted on the spot, rose to the rank of Rear Admiral and married the Captain's daughter.