2017 20c Coin - Legends of the Anzacs - VICTORY MEDAL

The Victory Medal was authorised in 1919 to commemorate the victory of the Allies in the First World War. Noted for its distinctive rainbow ribbon, the medal’s design differed slightly between countries to reflect national identity and custom. Those issued to British and Dominion forces, including Australians, featured Winged Victory. They were issued to all soldiers, sailors, airmen and nurses who entered a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918.

Sergeant Percival Beenie served with the Australian Mounted Division in Palestine during the First World War. As part of the Army Service Corps, he was responsible for the transport and provision of supplies. The former saddler returned home in April 1919 and was reunited with son Andrew, who had been just two years old when his father left for the war. “Among the crowd of soldiers was a tall sergeant of the Light Horse who was accompanied by a miniature replica of himself in the form of a small boy in uniform”, a local newspaper article read. “A proud father and son went hand in hand through the various states of the process which was to turn ‘Daddy’ into a civilian again”. Andrew and his younger brother Thomas would both grow up to serve in the Second World War.