Aussies getting edgy over war medal auction
24 July 2006

Australian Prime Minister John Howard is among those anxiously awaiting today's auction of a New Zealand-born soldier's Victoria Cross amid fears the medal might not find its rightful home.


The Victoria Cross posthumously awarded to Captain Alfred Shout, who died from wounds received at Gallipoli in 1915, is predicted to sell for as much as $A700,000 ($NZ854,700.85) at Sydney auction house Bonhams and Goodman today night.

That would break the world record for a medal at auction, stg248,800 ($NZ749,623.38) paid last year for the medal won by Captain Thomas Hardy at Lord Nelson's victory at Trafalgar in 1805.

Bidders from Britain and the United States have expressed interest in the auction of Australia's last privately-owned Gallipoli VC, and could snap it up as an investment even though legislation prevents its export.

The other eight Gallipoli VCs are housed at the Australian War Memorial's Hall of Valour – the place Mr Howard wants to see the medal end up.

"The Prime Minister is taking a close and active interest in this matter," a spokesman told the Sydney Morning Herald.

The memorial's director, Major-General Steve Gower, said he would be "shocked" if the medal doesn't remain in Australian hands.

AdvertisementAdvertisement"It is so important to the whole nation and is the only one needed to complete the Gallipoli set."

General Gower hoped a "public spirited Australian" might purchase the medal for the memorial, "where it belongs".

The medal is being auctioned by Captain Shout's Sydney-based grandson, Graham Thomas, who is in poor health and hoping to fund his grandchildren's education.

Captain Shout – born in Wellington in 1881 – served in the Boer War and moved to Sydney when he was 26.

He became the most highly decorated soldier in the Australian army to serve at Gallipoli.

In 1915, he was awarded the Military Cross during the landing at Anzac Cove, and was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for his role in the battle of Lone Pine, where he died from injuries days after the Australian charge on Turkish-held trenches at Lone Pine.


Heard it sold for 1.25 Mil or thereabouts.
An export ban prevents it coming back to NZ.

Those damn aussies, did they actually get any medals themselves???

First it was Pavlova and now this.

Why would New Zealand want it?

It was won by an soldier of the Australian Army.

If you want you cant have Russell Crowe and Sam Neil back with bells on.

I don't care who the bloke was who won it. He was a brave man be he a Kiwi or an Aussie. Its a shame it has been sold, but shit happens.

I've always held this bloke in very high regard. I drove one Year 8 History class nuts about him about 15 years ago.

I great man; a great ANZAC.

Its my understanding that the person who won the auction bid is going to display the VC plus the other medals at the Australian War Museum in Canberra.

I dont care if the guy was born a Kiwi , he gave tremendous service to both countries and now his medals and gallantry are to be on display for all to see.

And besides , in 1915 , most people in Australia were either direct immigrants or offspring of immigrants , as indeed they are today . Which doesnt mean they can lay claim to Phar Lap , pavlova , Sam Niell , Split Enz , Dragon ,half their decent actors , most of their rugby league players or any of those other Kiwi icons that they brazenly adopt once fame rears it ugly head.....but Russell Crowe is all yours , please keep him.....

You left out Joh Bjelke Petersen, Grame Crosby, Greg Murphy,Jim Richards, Tony Martin... I really don`t think anyone went over and shangai`d them, they came here of their on volition.

Dragon.....Split Enz....showing your age mate

We have a new girly at work. We were standing around talking one night shift, she didn't know who split enz were God I felt old.

Cant help feeling old mate - apparently I am , despite being a child of the late '50s

Didnt want to mention old Joh , although he is probably the most successfull of the kiwi exports in the last 100 years ...

Thought someone might have bitten on the league player comment tho.....

Leave pore ole Joh alone! He had Flo and her pumpkin scones to deal with.

and I reckon Russell is best left to you blokes.

Considering the number of New Zealanders coming to Australia taking jobs [sometimes two at a time]and buying up as much Real Estate as they can ! i find that statement a bit ridiculous !

My Grandmother (in Brisbane) lovingly called him 'our Joh'

At least we cant be blamed for Pauline Hansen, authentic ausi breeding there.

I realised I was getting old when friends I was rock climbing with were young enough to be my children.

What's wrong with Pauline? Just cause she doesn't always know what going on, it ain't her fault. Blame that John Pasqu--- (whatever) advisor she had.

But at least she wasn't anti-gun by a long shot. Just a pity she took on some of the wrong types to get into bed with- those Queensland nutcases that talked of blood flowing in the street if they took our guns. didn't do the average shooter a heap of good.

At least all the ex-Pat Kiwis now permanently resident in Aust can see the Vic Cross in Canberra themselves.

Joh Bejkle Petersen "I off to feed the chooks" (ie the media).