Exactly 160 years ago the first Victoria Cross medal was earned in battle. This quiz is on gallantry. Warning — my definitions are flexible!

1 There has been much speculation on his real identity, but no conclusive proof. He was in Time magazine’s List of the 100 most important people of the 20th century because of his actions on June 5, 1989, captured in an iconic photograph. By what name do we know him?

2 The PDSA Dickin medal was instituted in 1943 to honour the bravery of animals in war. The first three winners were all of the same species. They were named White Vision, Winkle and Tyke respectively, and all won for the same reason. What species were they, and what did they do?

3 In 2003, 13 members of the Hindi film industry were supposed to depose about threats to them from the gangster Chhota Shakeel. Twelve of the 13 witnesses turned hostile. Who was the only member of the 13 to stick to her deposition?

4 In 1963, this English batsman scored 70 runs batting against Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith without a helmet or body protection. His shirtless torso, black and blue with bruises, made the front pages the next day. Thirteen years later, he was recalled at the age of 45 to face the next generation of frightening West Indian bowlers. Identify this cricketer.

5 In one of the bravest acts ever recorded, a member of Robert Falcon Scott’s ill-fated 1912 Antarctic expedition realised he was slowing the rest of the party and decided to walk out of his tent to certain death. His last words, according to Scott, were “I am just going outside and may be some time.” Name this former cavalry officer-turned-explorer.

6 Who is the only member of the Nazi party to be buried on Mount Zion in Jerusalem? I promise you that this is a completely legitimate question and you have heard of him!

7 Complete this statement by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw with a single word — “If a man said he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a _____?”

8 Which famous military engagement occurred because of faulty communication between Lord Raglan and his brother-in-law Lord Lucan in the field of battle?

9 Which fighting unit’s most celebrated engagement was in Mexico in 1863 when Captain Jean Danjou and 66 other troops defended the city of Puebla against more than 2,000 attackers?

10 On March 26, 1974, Gaura Devi, the head of the Mahila Sangh at Reni village, and 27 other village women confronted loggers in the neighbouring jungle. This was the start of which celebrated environmental movement, named because of the novel way the village women protected the trees?

ANSWERS

1. Tank Man, the unknown protestor who stood in front of a column of tanks on Tiananmen Square.

2. Carrier Pigeons. They carried messages to rescue aircrew whose aircraft had been shot at sea.

3. Preity Zinta; so when she does protest, listen!

4. Brian Close

5. Lawrence Oates

6. Oskar Schindler, who rescued thousands of Jews who worked in his factory.

7. Gurkha, Manekshaw’s home regiment.

8. The charge of the Light Brigade; Raglan had asked the Light Brigade to chase a retreating Russian battery, Lucan thought it was a different objective and had them execute a frontal attack on a heavily defended position.

9. The French Foreign Legion

10. The Chipko movement

Joy Bhattacharjyais a quiz master, Director - Kolkata Knight Riders and author of Junior Premier League — The First XI

Follow Joy on Twitter >@joybhattacharj

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