condensed discuss document expanded export feedback print share remove reset document_white enquire_white export_white report_white
discuss document export feedback print share gallery-landscape xml

medal, campaign

On display
human history
  • Other Name

    Victory Medal 1914-1919, WW1 (medal name)

    13/537 Trooper Victor Albert Olen, Auckland Mounted Rifles, NZEF (associated name)

  • Description

    Victory Medal, 1914-1918, WW1

    Medal awarded to 13/537 Trooper Victor Albert Olen, Auckland Mounted Rifles, NZEF

    bronze circular medal; 36mm diameter; ring suspender, with original ribbon & oak leaf clasp

    obverse: The winged, full-length figure of Victory, with her arm extended and holding a palm branch in her right hand.

    reverse: inscription ‘THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILIZATION, 1914-1919’ surrounded by a wreath.

    ribbon: grosgrain ribbon, 37mm wide, rainbow pattern

    named on edge: 13/537 TPR. V.A. OLEN. N.Z.E.F.

  • Place
  • Associated Place
  • Accession Number
    2016.35.4.3
  • Accession Date
    16 Jun 2016
  • Department
  • Display Room
medal, campaign, victory medal

Images and documents

Images

Artefact

  • Display location

    Pou Maumahara drawer bank 10, drawer B, medal position 27

  • Credit Line
    Collection of Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira, 2016.35.4.3
    Purchase
  • Primary Maker

     William McMillan (Medallist)

  • Place
  • Date
    [1919]
  • Associated Notes

    Victory Medal 1914-1918, WW1

    Medal awarded to 13/537 Trooper Victor Albert Olen, Auckland Mounted Rifles, NZEF.

    Victor Albert Olen, son of Edward and Annie Olen, was born at Blackall, Queensland, Australia, on 7 May 1886.At the time of his enlistment with the 11th North Auckland Squadron, Auckland Mounted Rifles, he was employed in Whangarei as an assistant surveyor for the Public Works Department, and his parents were living at Taneatua, near Whakatane.

    He arrived on Gallipoli on 12th May 1915, and was killed in action on Chunuk Bair on 8th August 1915. His body was never found and his file states: "Missing in action. Reasonable to suppose dead." His death is commemorated on the Chunuk Bair Memorial.

    "According to Trooper Stevens, Troopeers Champney, Mason, Olen and Palmer were particularly active in throwing back Turkish bombs. Olen and Palmer were both killee, Mason badly wounded when shot through the face and Champney wounded. "

    Quoted from Bloody Gallipoli, by Richard Stowers, with reference from Trooper Stevens, Maungatapere: A history and reminiscence.

  • Associated Event
    WW1; 1914-1918
  • Associated Person
  • Associated Place
  • Associated Date
    1914-1919
    08 Aug 1915
  • Period
  • Signature/marks

    W McM (medallist's name)

    13/537 TPR. V.A. OLEN. N.Z.E.F. (recipient's name)

  • Media
  • Measurement Description
    medal: 36mm diameter
    ribbon: 37mm wide
  • Measurement Reading

    36mm (medal)

    37mm (ribbon)

  • Subject Category
  • Classification
  • Media/Materials Notes

    medal

    ribbon

  • Last Update
    19 Mar 2024
The development of the Auckland War Memorial Museum online collection is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

The gift of curiosity

With unlimited free entry to all paid exhibitions, discounted event tickets and exclusive Member-only events, a Museum Membership is the gift that keeps on giving year-round.

SEE OPTIONS FROM $60

The gift of curiosity