Mr Cornwell, Love all the books but must admit to being a Sharpe nerd! As we know Sharpe was scorned by the higher ranks and only obtained his Lt.Col by hard work and luck. If the VC was available, Sharpe would of been a dead cert. However I have found one loophole that would of annoyed “Mrs” Jane Sharpe. I think Lt.Col Sharpe would of been entitled to the “Order of the Bath” by being Lt.Col in an allied army(commission was in the Dutch dragoons) and being a patron of the Prince Regent. So from the humble french farm, let Sharpe annoy the “establishment” one last time! regards Rhydian