Australia 1915 Remember the Dardanelles Australia Day Gold Donor Medallion

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30mm gilt bronze medallions. Crucifom shaped 30mm medal with attached loop. One side show’s a left facing portrait of King George V with “REMEMBER THE DARDANELLES 1915” around. The other side has a wreath with “JULY 30th 1915 AUSTRALIA DAY GOLD DONOR” in the centre.

Commemorates the Dardanelles (Gallipoli) battle, then underway. Australia Day was celebrated on this day, 30 July in 1915, and attracted enthusiastic crowds.

The celebration raised funds for the Australian Division of the Red Cross, for use on the front, on hospital ships and at hospitals in Malta and Egypt. At least two different articles on Trove dating to August 1915 suggested a gold coin donation was needed to receive one of these medals, and another mentions specifically that a donation of half a guinea (10 shillings and sixpence) was required to obtain one. Note that a private in the World War 1 AIF received 6 shillings pay a day, which gives a good idea of how much was required to obtain one of these medallions.

Minted by Stokes and Sons.

References
The First ANZACs at Gallipoli – Perth Numismatic Society – Accessed May 6, 2020
Australia Day fundraising badge, gold donor 1915 : Captain R A McKillop, 13 Battalion, AIF – The Australian War Memorial – Accessed May 6, 2020
Medal – Australia Day, Gold Donor, Victoria, Australia, 1915 – Museum Victoria – Accessed May 6, 2020

Coin Information