The Memorial Plaque
The Memorial Plaque or more popularly known as the “Dead Man’s Penny” was issued after the First World War to the next-of-kin of all British and Empire service personnel who were killed as a result of the war.
The plaques were produced to commemorate those that gave their lives and acknowledge their sacrifice. They were intended to give the close family a tangible memorial of their lost loved one. They were made of bronze, and hence popularly known as the "Dead Man’s Penny", because of the similarity in appearance to the somewhat smaller penny coin.
The plaques were produced to commemorate those that gave their lives and acknowledge their sacrifice. They were intended to give the close family a tangible memorial of their lost loved one.
1,355,000 plaques were issued, which used a total of 450 tonnes of bronze and continued to be issued into the 1930’s to commemorate people who died as a consequence of the war.
The design features the figure of Britannia facing to her left and holding a laurel wreath in her left hand. Underneath the laurel wreath is a box where you will find the commemorated serviceman or woman’s name. The name was cast in raised relief on each plaque, achieved by a labour-intensive process not fully known today. In her right hand she is holding a trident. In representation of Britain's sea power there are two dolphins each facing Britannia on her left and right sides. A growling lion stands in front of Britannia, with another much smaller lion under its feet, biting the German Imperial eagle.
Around the edge of the plaque are the words
“He died for freedom and honour”
Accompanying the Memorial Plaque was a scroll and message from King George V
Who might have received the plaque, scroll and King’s message?
The immediate next of kin of all who died serving with the British and Empire forces in the First World War were eligible to receive the plaque and scroll. With nearly a million dead for the British Army alone, the plaques are today still commonly found; the fragile scrolls survive less often. Some of those recorded by plaques and scrolls were not eligible for service medals, for instance, those who did not serve overseas but who died in service through accident or illness.
Deaths in the period 1919–1921 (possibly later) could still lead to the presentation of a plaque, if either still in service (and even from natural causes), or the death was accepted as war-related. It is thought that many British and Empire war dead had no plaques and scrolls issued, due to the inability to trace addresses for the eligible next of kin.
Content provided by: Alison Farrugia
