Memorial Plaque | Miniature

Description

The Memorial Plaque was issued to the next of kin of servicemen and women who were killed while serving overseas, or who died of wounds received while serving overseas, during the First World War. These fallen soldiers never made it home for a proper burial and these bronze plaques, nicknamed ‘The Dead Man’s Penny’, served as a tangible memorial for the families.

The bronze plaque features the figure of Britannia holding a laurel wreath above a blank box. On an issued plaque, the name of the fallen serviceman or woman would have been engraved in the blank box. Of note, their rank was not recorded as all were considered equal in death. In Britannia’s right hand is a trident representing British naval power. Also featured are two dolphins and two lions, one of which is biting the German Imperial Eagle. On the edges are the words ‘He Died for Freedom and Honour’. Over 600 were made for the female fallen and read ‘She’. 

This plaque is the miniature version of the Memorial Plaque. This size was never issued.

Measurement: 8cm diameter