Victoria Cross Medals Are On Display In Australia
People across Australia are being given the rare opportunity to see a display of nine Victoria Cross Medals in an exhibit that is traveling across the country. The medals are usually kept in the Hall of Valour at the Australia War Memorial and have never been on display outside of Canberra.
The exhibition, named "This company of brave men; the Gallipoli VCs", showcases the wonderful tales of nine brave soldiers in the Gallipoli campaign of World War I. Seven of the medals were awarded for bravery to the soldiers at the battle of Lone Pine when a bayonet attack was launched against the enemy line. Despite suffering heavy losses, the Australian soldiers managed to hold out for four days against fierce counterattacks. Four of these seven medals were awarded to a single battalion for their heroic actions.
Another of the medals was awarded to a member of the 10th Light Horse Regiment, 2nd Lieutenant Hugo Throssell. The suffering he witnessed during the war affected Throssell so badly that he became an outspoken opponent of war, and very sadly committed suicide.
Director of the Australian War Memorial Steve Gower said, “Australia was forged on the shores of Gallipoli as a nation, so to bring the around the Victoria Crosses from that campaign is most appropriate.” He feels people will only be uplifted by viewing the medals and reading the remarkable stories told by the citations that accompany them. In my opinion, this is a wonderful chance for Australians both young and old to remember what amazing young men these soldiers were, the horrors they endured, and the bravery they showed, and hopefully be inspired by them.
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