Australian Legends
In 2000, Parker was recognized as one of the "Australian Legends". His name and photograph were part of an annual series of commemorative postage stamps issued by Australia Post since 1997. The stamps honour living Australians "who have made lifetime contributions to the development of Australia's national identity and character". Parker did not live to fully enjoy this accolade, as he died the day after the stamp was officially issued.
Parker's 45-cent Legend stamp displays the soldier's portrait as a young man, photographed just prior to his departure for Gallipoli. Formal photographs of the other two ANZAC centenarians complete this stamp set. In addition, a fourth stamp features the 1914-15 star medal which was presented to all those who fought in campaigns during those war years. These stamps, designed by Cathleen Cram of the Australia Post Design Studio, commemorate the story of events and people shaping contemporary Australia. The Parker stamp honours him as an individual and as a representative of all the soldiers at Gallipoli whose actions affected Australia's evolving self-image.
Read more about this topic: Walter Parker (ANZAC)
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