The Great War of 1914-1918 touched the lives of all Australians.
From a population of less than 5,000,000, more than 330,000 Australians
sailed across the world to join this 'war to end all wars'. What
was initially considered a great adventure exacted a great toll.
Some 60,000 would die, more than 155,000 would be physically wounded
and tens of thousands more would carry the mental scars of war
to their graves. The story of the Australian Imperial Force's
fight begins at Gallipoli. The courage shown on this rugged Turkish
peninsular gave rise to a sense of national identity, pride and
spirit which carried Australian troops through the trenches of
Europe and the deserts of the Middle East.
In this, the first year in our 100th anniversary commemorations
of World War I (1914-18), the story of our boys' passage to and
through Gallipoli unfolds with the superb Sands of Gallipoli Limited
Edition Medallions. Six stunning medallions have been minted with
the obverse of the medallions featuring designs based on a series
of sketches depicting the early stages of Australia's involvement
in the Great War. The sketches, by
renowned Australian artist Drew Harrison,
were specially commissioned for this collection. The reverse of
the medallions reflects the reverse of the Victory Medal. While
most recognise 1918 as being the year the war ended, the medal
bears the year 1919, the year in which the Treaty of Versailles
was signed, bringing about the formal end of the war.
The medallions, finished in highly polished and frosted silver,
are available individually or as a set of six. Each is struck
from a silver-plated brass blank and is 50mm in diameter and 4.5mm
thick.
Set of Six Limited Edition Medallions
All six Sands of Gallipoli 2014 Limited Edition Medallions are
housed in the attractive dark timber finish display case. The
lid of the two piece case doubles as a stand for display on a
table, mantlepiece or shelf while the bottom section has a keyhole
on the back so the set can be hung on the wall.
In addition to the six medallions, the set also features an antique
finish metal Centenary of the Great War logo badge, a 1914 badge
and a vial of genuine sand from the beaches of Gallipoli. Only
2,500 sets will be released and each comes with a certificate
of authenticity.
Following the declaration of war between England and Germany
on 4 August 1914 Australians rallied with great enthusiasm to
support the Mother Country. Australia’s political leaders
were in the midst of an election campaign but only days before
had pledged support for England. Labor’s Andrew Fisher, declared
“Australians will stand beside the Mother Country to help
and defend her to the last man and the last shilling.” Liberal
Prime Minister, Joseph Cook added, “If the old country is
at war so are we.” Cook committed a force of 20,000 to the
cause. But by war’s end more than 410,000 Australians would
serve in the Australian Imperial Force.
This medallion, with a limited release of only 500, is presented
in a stylish leatherette display case and is accompanied by a
vial of genuine sand from the beaches of Gallipoli. The numbered
certificate of authenticity, with the story behind the medallion
on the back, completes this superb collectable.
Hover over the image to the left for a larger view.
Signing On Limited Edition Medallion
Australia sent only volunteers to the Great War. Even those already
in the Permanent Military Force, some 3,000 men, had to join the
volunteer Australian Imperial Force to go. Recruitment in towns
and cities after the declaration of war drew unprecedented support.
Within weeks the number of recruits swelled beyond the Australian
Government’s commitment of 20,000. The basic requirement
for service was that recruits should be aged 18-35 years and stand
at or above 5 foot 6 inches tall with a chest of no less than
34 inches inflated. Those accepted were marched into their state’s
training camps and allocated their ‘regimental number’,
given uniforms if available, and drilled in warfare. Before year’s
end they would set sail for war.
This medallion, with a limited release of only 500, is presented
in a stylish leatherette display case and is accompanied by a
vial of genuine sand from the beaches of Gallipoli. The numbered
certificate of authenticity, with the story behind the medallion
on the back, completes this superb collectable.
Hover over the image to the left for a larger view.
March to War Limited Edition Medallion
Within two weeks of the declaration of war a special Australian
force set sail for New Guinea to conquer German forces on the
islands. Meanwhile, the newly formed Australian Imperial Force
was preparing for embarkation, and in mid October troops marched
proudly through port cities and towns toward waiting merchant
ships that would carry them to the rally point at Albany in Western
Australia and on to the fight in Europe. On 1 November a convoy
of 36 ships with some 20,000 AIF, and almost 8,500 members of
the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, set sail for the battle in
Europe but as fate would have it, turned instead to Egypt for
training before entering the war against the Turks in the ill-fated
Gallipoli campaign.
This medallion, with a limited release of only 500, is presented
in a stylish leatherette display case and is accompanied by a
vial of genuine sand from the beaches of Gallipoli. The numbered
certificate of authenticity, with the story behind the medallion
on the back, completes this superb collectable.
Hover over the image to the left for a larger view.
Victory at Sea Limited Edition Medallion
On the morning of 9 November 1914, as the first convoy of troops
bound for Europe passed near the Cocos Keeling Islands, the escort
HMAS Sydney turned to investigate a distress call from the islands,
“SOS… Strange warship approaching”. Sydney reached
the islands at 9.15am to find Germany’s most feared warship
in the Indian Ocean – the SMS Emden ready to fight. Emden,
under the command of Captain Karl von Müller, fired from
more than 9,000 metres. Fifteen shells rained down on Sydney but
only five exploded. Sydney, under Captain John Glossop, retaliated
with relentless accuracy. Soon Emden was ablaze and in less than
two hours she sat wrecked on the rocky shore of North Keeling
Island. Sydney had triumphed in Australia’s first sea battle.
This medallion, with a limited release of only 500, is presented
in a stylish leatherette display case and is accompanied by a
vial of genuine sand from the beaches of Gallipoli. The numbered
certificate of authenticity, with the story behind the medallion
on the back, completes this superb collectable.
Hover over the image to the left for a larger view.
Training in Egypt Limited Edition Medallion
When the first contingent of Australian and New Zealand troops
departed Albany in Western Australia on 1 November 1914 all thought
their destination was the training grounds of England and the
fight in Europe. But as the convoy entered the Red Sea new orders
would see the troops disembark and train in Egypt. The troops
landed on 3 December to find the camps and training facilities
were not ready. For many the first night in Egypt was spent lying
on the desert sands with the great Pyramids silhouetted against
the night sky. After months of training new orders were posted
on 2 April 1915. Instead of Europe the AIF and their New Zealand
counterparts would take part in the push against the Ottoman Empire
at Gallipoli.
This medallion, with a limited release of only 500, is presented
in a stylish leatherette display case and is accompanied by a
vial of genuine sand from the beaches of Gallipoli. The numbered
certificate of authenticity, with the story behind the medallion
on the back, completes this superb collectable.
Hover over the image to the left for a larger view.
Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Limited Edition Medallion
The legendary Australian and New Zealand Army Corps – The
ANZACS – was created as the troops trained in Egypt. While
neither the Australian nor the New Zealand command had expressed
a desire to serve together, the British saw a combined corps as
a logical partnership. The suggested title for the force was the
‘Australasian Army Corps’ but this was rejected and
instead the Australian and New Zealand commands elected to be
known by the name which is now legend in our national histories.
The corps was commanded by British officer, Lieutenant-General
William Birdwood, but Australia’s Major-General Bridges retained
command of the AIF, while Major-General Godley had the same prerogative
for the NZ force.
This medallion, with a limited release of only 500, is presented
in a stylish leatherette display case and is accompanied by a
vial of genuine sand from the beaches of Gallipoli. The numbered
certificate of authenticity, with the story behind the medallion
on the back, completes this superb collectable.
