ANZAC commemorative medal

This medal was awarded to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ANZAC Gallipoli landings in 1965. Issued in 1967, medals were available only to survivors of Gallipoli and their next of kin.

An image of Private John Simpson of the Army Ambulance Corps, aiding a wounded soldier on his donkey at Gallipoli, is featured on the front of the medal. The date 1915 and 'ANZAC' are also recorded on this side. The reverse features a map of Australia and New Zealand with the stars of the Southern Cross, and the recipient's name.

Simpson became renowned for his work as a stretcher-bearer and as the man with the donkey at the Gallipoli battlefield who saved many lives. He landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and was killed less than four weeks later. Simpson used donkeys (landed for water carrying) to transport wounded men from the front line fighting to the beach on Anzac Cove, working in extreme conditions of heavy fighting. He died in action on 19 May from machine gun fire, as he was guiding down two wounded men. Simpson's actions demonstrated the qualities of courage and mateship that have become associated with the term 'Anzac'.

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