Ian McLean Green Scene Spokesperson for the Green Party

Housed in our collection of whanau memorabilia is a medal labelled ‘ANZAC 1915' in the name of E. Sargisson.

Eric Sargisson was the brother of my wife's great grandfather. He died too young to have children of his own, and my wife and children are the nearest he has in direct line of descent.

At 22, he was exploring the world, learning about himself, and no doubt hoping for the bright and happy future his brother achieved.

He had the bad luck to be one of the 60,000 allies who did not survive Gallipoli, or one of the 145,000 if Turkish casualties are counted as well.

The family had to fight to get that medal. Why? Because Eric died in hospital. The wounds that killed him were received on the battlefield, but a medal was reserved for those who died in battle. For having the misfortune of surviving for a couple of weeks, Eric initially received nothing.

One wonders how many other families out there do not have such a medal for the same simple reason, and who have perhaps forgotten the sacrifice of their tipuna as a result.

On Anzac Day, my oldest child proudly wore that medal at the dawn service. The memory of Eric Sargisson lives on and strong in our family, with the medal serving as a constant reminder of his sacrifice.