Lot 1606

Description

The Alan Mitchell Memorial Prize, medal in bronze (37mm) (2), the obverse features The Kings School crest with the legend 'The Alan Mitchell Memorial Prize / Gallipoli. April 25 1915' and on the reverse 'Won By' with a wreath and the legend 'Bona Opinio Hominum Tutior Pecunia Est', engraved on the reverse 'D.K.Whytt', one dated 1925, the other 1926. The first medal has an area of verdigris on the obverse and the second medal has a spot of verdigris on the reverse, otherwise very fine. (2)

This medal is awarded annually by The King's School, Parramatta, to the best all round boy. The above recipient, D. K. Whytt, had the honour of receiving the medal in consecutive years. The medal is named in honour of Alan Mitchell who was a student at The Kings School and was also a member of the school cadet unit. After World War I broke out he enlisted in the A.I.F. on 24 November 1914 at the age of 22 years 11 months. Serving with 1 Battalion he was wounded in action sometime between 25-29 April 1915 at Gallipoli and subsequently died at No 1 General Hospital, Heliopolis on 5 May 1915. He was buried at Egypt 11 Cairo (Basatin) Jewish Cemetery. As a memorial to him his family established this prize medal in his name to be awarded at The Kings School. The first award was made in 1916 and it is still awarded today.