In a year which has unearthed many heroes from all walks of life, it is perhaps fitting to take a look back at some of those recognised for extraordinary feats of bravery in the face of despair during wartime efforts across the globe.

The Victoria Cross is the highest and most prestigious award in the British Honours system. There have been 1,358 recipients of the medal, 93 from Kent.

It is given to members of the British Armed Forces who "show valour in the presence of the enemy."

Sgt Thomas Frank Durrant, 23, was awarded the accolade for his efforts in a raid on St Nazaire, France, on March 28, 1942.

He was part of the No. 1 Commando unit which was tasked with the destruction of a Normandie dry dock.

While he manned the Lewis gun on board HM Motor Launch 306 during a raid, Sgt Durrant refused to leave his post, despite being shot in the arm.

He drew enemy fire to himself after the searchlight fell on the ship, sustaining further wounds to the arms, legs and chest. By this point, the only way he could support himself was by leaning on his gun.

When a German commander demanded the ship's surrender, Sgt Durrant again refused to leave his post, even after the motor launch was boarded and captured.

The Sergeant died from his wounds several days after the raid. However, the German commander mentioned Sgt Durrant's actions, suggesting he be put forward for the Victoria Cross.

His medal is on display at the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham, along with 25 others awarded to men from Kent.

Collections manager at the Royal Engineers Museum, Danielle Sellers, said: "The medal was loaned to the Royal Engineers Museum in the 1950s and eventually got gifted to the museum in 2009.

"This was given to the museum as Durrant was a Royal Engineer, so his family thought it would be a good home for his medal."

Charles Davis Lucas' heroic actions were one of the reasons Queen Victoria created the medal in 1856.

Born in Co Armagh, Northern Ireland, he later settled in Great Culverden, near Tunbridge Wells.

The moment that led his name to be etched in history came when he was a midshipman in the Royal Navy, aged 20, on June 18, 1854, while fighting in the Crimean War.

He was on board HMS Hecla fighting in the Baltic Sea, which was bombarding a fort in the Aland Islands when a shell landed on the ship's deck.

The crew was instructed to take cover and lay flat, but Midshipman Lucas rushed forward, picked up the shell and threw it overboard where it exploded before hitting the water, saving both damage to the ship and his shipmates' lives.

He was immediately promoted to the position of Lieutenant and given the Royal Humanitarian Society gold medal for saving lives.

Two years later, in January 1856, Queen Victoria bestowed the honour of the Victoria Cross on him – making him one of the first to receive the medal.

Lieutenant General Philip Neame has a unique claim to fame – being the only person ever to win an Olympic gold medal and be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Born on December 12, 1888 in Faversham, Lt Gen Neame was 26 when his heroic deed took place.

While on manoeuvres in Neuve Chapelle, France, he engaged German soldiers in a single-handed bombing attack, killing and wounding a number of them while under severe fire.

He was able to check the enemy advance for 45 minutes and managed to rescue all the wounded who were possible to reach.

This incredible feat of self-less gallantry is what earned the Lieutenant General a Victoria Cross.

Not only was he an icon on the battlefield, but in 1924 Lt Gen Neame represented Great Britain at the French Olympic Games as part of its running deer team.

The event involved a team of four who would shoot at a moving object which imitated an animal.

After a hard fought competition against the French, Lt Gen Neame came out on top and was awarded the gold medal.

Another man whose bravery earned him a Victoria Cross was Sergeant Harry Wells, who was born in Hole Cottage, Millbank, within the old Herne and Hoathe parish boundary.

Sgt Wells worked as a barman at the Beaver Inn in Ashford in 1913, before joining the Ashford Division of the army in 1914 at the outbreak of the First World War.

He died during an attack on Le Routoire Farm during the battle of Loos in France on September 25, 1915, which is where his heroic leadership earned him the accolade.

In his VC citation in November 1915, the London Gazette reported how his platoon officer had been killed, and he had continued to lead the attack to within 15 yards of the German line.

It read: "Nearly half the platoon were killed or wounded, and the remainder were much shaken, but with the utmost coolness and bravery, Sgt Wells rallied them and led them forward.

"Finally, when very few were left, he stood up and urged them forward once more, but while doing this was killed. He gave a magnificent example of courage and determination."

After initially being deemed as unfit for service after being shot in the arm in 1916, Captain Thomas 'Riv' Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson was attached to the Northamptonshire Regiment based in Gillingham.

Once he was deemed fit by the Home Office, he returned to active service on the Western Front in November 1916, distinguishing himself when he led an attack on the ridge overlooking the Somme village of Bouchavesnes as the Germans retreated to the Hindenburg Line.

An extract from the London Gazette, dated September 4, 1917, read: "For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and determination in attack.

"The tactical situation having developed contrary to expectation, it was not possible for his company to adhere to the original plan of deployments.

"He carried out the attack nevertheless, and succeeded in capturing the enemy trench and disposing of the garrison.

"During this operation, assisted by his Orderly only, he attacked and captured an enemy machine gun and turned it on the assailants, many of whom were killed.

"Later he again attacked and captured a second enemy machine gun, by which time he had been joined by other portions of his company, and was enabled to consolidate his position.

"The conduct of this officer throughout forms an amazing record of dash, gallantry and skill, for which no reward can be too great, having regard to the importance of the position won."

Captain 'Riv' was later shot and killed by a sniper.

Born in Folkestone, Corporal William Richard Cotter earned his Victoria Cross after he commanded his squadron for 14 hours with half a leg and multiple severe gunshot wounds to his arms.

Cpl Cotter, who had previously lost an eye during an altercation pre-war, was part of a three-pronged attack on a German-held check point, known as The Triangle Crater, in 1916.

After proceeding in three companies, the conditions caused the majority of the men to be stuck in knee-high mud, opening them to a German counter attack of bombing and heavy gunfire from all angles.

David Hughes, who runs the Kent Fallen website, said: "Whilst they were floundering in the mud and slush, the men were subjected to bombs and enemy machine gun fire.

"The Germans immediately launched a counter attack, the ferocity of which compelled the party to retreat.

"The fighting became very confused and disorganised, and William – who was in charge of the party – was severely wounded.

"The History of the 12th (Eastern) Division records the following about William: his right leg was blown off just below the knee; he was also wounded in both arms.

"Regardless of these injuries, he took up a position on the side of the crater, issued orders and controlled the fire."

Records suggest that Cpl Cotter remained in this position for up to two hours, and couldn't be extracted from the location for a further 14.

David added: "There is no doubt that the fine example he showed, his endurance under great suffering, his coolness under heavy fire, and his keen sense of responsibility, helped materially to save what might have developed into a critical situation."

For this brave act Cpl Cotter was awarded the Victoria Cross. Unfortunately, he died before the award was published, though he had been informed of the recommendation.

These are the stories of a select few who were given the highest award possible for their acts of bravery in the face of war.

However, hundreds of thousands of others endured conditions and years of fighting, poverty, dismay and uncertainty for the freedoms we have today.

To find out more about the other Kent men who were awarded the Victoria Cross, click here.

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