Guest andrew67 Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 An anonymous donor has given the Australian War Memorial a Victoria Cross awarded to a digger who captured six enemy machine guns and 60 prisoners during the Gallipoli campaign in World War I.Lance Corporal Bernard Gordon's medal was auctioned last month for $485,800, the second highest price paid for a VC in Australia.One of the machine guns he captured is on display in the memorial's Gallipoli gallery.The medal arrived at the war memorial early today with little fanfare and a request from the donor for anonymity."We had a whisper it may be donated to us yesterday," curator Nick Fletcher said."I went to bed curious and woke up curious."Memorial director Steve Gower was delighted with the donation."Such medals are a tangible reminder of the great sacrifice our soldiers have made in the past," Mr Gower said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deptfordboy Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 What a heartwarming story - thanks for sharing. A very generous gesture, quite the antidote to Ashcroft's recent posturing, IMO. Gilbert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley1965 Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 An anonymous donor has given the Australian War Memorial a Victoria Cross awarded to a digger who captured six enemy machine guns and 60 prisoners during the Gallipoli campaign in World War I.Lance Corporal Bernard Gordon's medal was auctioned last month for $485,800, the second highest price paid for a VC in Australia.One of the machine guns he captured is on display in the memorial's Gallipoli gallery.The medal arrived at the war memorial early today with little fanfare and a request from the donor for anonymity."We had a whisper it may be donated to us yesterday," curator Nick Fletcher said."I went to bed curious and woke up curious."Memorial director Steve Gower was delighted with the donation."Such medals are a tangible reminder of the great sacrifice our soldiers have made in the past," Mr Gower said.Now that's a real Gentleman or Lady. This person has purchased and donated the VC to the appropriate museum anonymously. Hat's off to the donor!!! Doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Murphy Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 Now that's a real Gentleman or Lady. This person has purchased and donated the VC to the appropriate museum anonymously. Hat's off to the donor!!!Agreed, they are a real class act.Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 The "anonymous" donor was Kerry Stokes - the medal this time was bought by his solicitor who was sitting in the room and made the bids on his behalf.He bought the last one that sold for over a million dollars here earlier in the year and did the same thing (as in donating it).He is of the opinion that ALL war medals should be donated to the Australian War Memorial and that there should not be trading in other people's medals. I somehow doubt that he consulted the AWM before suggesting such a thing. I also doubt that he has thought through his comments properly.cheers,bj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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