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CANBERRA - An anonymous donor has handed the Australian War Memorial its 61st Victoria Cross.
Lance Corporal Bernard Gordon was awarded the commonwealth's highest honour after capturing six enemy machine guns and 60 prisoners during the campaign on the western front in World War 1.
One of the machine guns is already on display inside the memorial's Gallipoli gallery.
The medal arrived at the war memorial early today with little fanfare and a request from the donor for anonymity.
"We had a whisper it may be donated to us yesterday," curator Nick Fletcher said.
"I went to bed curious and woke up curious."
The medal was auctioned last month for $485,800, ($560,710) the second highest price ever seen in Australia.
Memorial director Steve Gower was delighted with the donation.
"Such medals are a tangible reminder of the great sacrifice our soldiers have made in the past," Mr Gower said.
- AAP
