Nine Victoria Crosses, the highest form of recognition given to a soldier for acts of courage on the battlefield, will tour mainland Australia and give people the opportunity to learn about Gallipoli, and the acts of bravery that led to the medals being awarded.

The tour, This company of brave men; the Gallipoli VCs, is being supported by Seven Network boss Kerry Stokes, who is also on the memorial's council.

Announcing the tour yesterday, Minister for Veterans' Affairs Alan Griffin said while the medals might be unique and irreplaceable, it was the stories behind them that continued to capture the imagination of Australians. ''These particular men were those from that first generation who achieved so much, and who actually established the legend, and the stories behind each of these medals actually encapsulate that legend,'' he said.

''In terms of courage, valour, resilience, determination, the values that encompass the Anzac spirit are encompassed very much in the stories behind these medals.''

TOUR SCHEDULE

March 20-May 2: Perth, Western Australian Museum.

May 8-June 20: Darwin, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

June 25-August 8: Adelaide, State Library of South Australia.

August 13-September 26: Melbourne, Shrine of Remembrance.

October 1-November 14: Brisbane, Queensland Museum South Bank.

For more on this story, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times.