For a brief period the Victoria Cross was awarded for bravery
displayed even when no enemy was present. Only six VCs were awarded in
such circumstances, of which one was to a Canadian,
Dr. Campbell Mellis Douglas (1840-1909).
On 7 May 1867, he manned a boat through dangerous surf in the
Andaman Islands to evacuate soldiers who had gone ashore to investigate
the disappearance of sailors. He retired to Canada in 1882 and served
in the North-West Campaign.
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