Dead Mans Penny

[Stan.J]

Many fell during the first world war and after hostilities the next of kin received what the veterans called "Dead mans penny" This was a bronze plaque with the name of the deceased and with the words "They died for freedom and honour " and a picture of Britannia and a lion also imposed.

This shown is for Nicholas Dixon . the brother of my late father-in-law.
It is approx. 5" in diameter and cast in bronze, Nicholas was wounded at Paeschendale and died of his wounds a few days later.
The picture isnt very good but at least it gives you an idea of the plaque. I think many must have been destroyed or lost over the years but as a memento of what was, a bloody and dreadful conflict, It serves to remind us of those who fell.

[astraltrader]

A great post Stan!
My wife and I have one that was awarded to her Great-Uncle Owen Henry Blower who was sadly killed in action on October 24th 1918 - so very near to end of the War.
Although it is hard to scan, it is beautifully mounted in an old oak surround
While of course my wife and I were both born around 40 years after his death we are proud to have this hanging on our wall...

[steve roberts]

I dont know why,but many of these seem to turn up at auctions,usually along with the medals of the casualties.Have the families of these men have so little regard of what was done in their name

[siggy63]

Having been a medal collector for a few years now I too have seen these items coming online and at auction - I believe that many are coming up via the house clearance line now after picking up two from such avenues.

I would like to think that families are not concerned about what family members in the past have done but more a case of having to raise funds to stay afloat - its not just WWI items coming online, the amount of medals coming available from the Falklands Campaign is also a mite worrying but prices being fetched are in some cases just to tempting to resist for those in need.

Danny

[steve roberts]

Hi Danny.I guess you are right.Having money to keep alive is more important than a dead persons deeds.Sad though!Steve

[jainso31]

I too have my grandfather's "dead penny" and I've often wondered about it's origin. This may sound stupid, but they are reminiscent of the the striker end of a shell case; and thinking about making use of "scrap" metal-is this just a ridiculous notion??


jainso31

[davidrn]

Hi, I think that this is quite a clear example of the Plaque

Regards Dave

[jainso31]

davidrn do you think these plaques were die cast seperately; and it is not feasible to suggest that they are unused striker end plates from 6" shell cases.The country at the time being near bankrupt.

jainso31

[astraltrader]

davidrn do you think these plaques were die cast seperately; and it is not feasible to suggest that they are unused striker end plates from 6" shell cases.The country at the time being near bankrupt.

jainso31


Jainso - I am sure they were not unused striker end plates from shell casings. I seem to remember they were specially struck in bronze and was chosen from submissions made by other artists in a sort of competition to see who could come up with the most appropriate design.
I expect a quick google would reveal the actual artist - I would look it up now myself but sadly by job as moderator means as per usual I am flashing through all the recent posts and do not have the time!

[stewart mcloughlin]

Just to save you a bit of your valuable time Terry, from the Western Front Association:-
"The enormous casualty figures not anticipated at the start of WWI back in 1914 prompted this gesture of recognition. In 1917, the government announced a competition to design a suitable plaque with a prize of 250 pounds. There were 800 entries from all over the Empire, the Dominions, and even from the troops on the Western Front. Mr E Carter Preston of Liverpool, England, the eventual winner.
The selected design was a 12 centimetre disk cast in bronze gunmetal, which incorporated the following; an image of Britannia and a lion, two dolphins representing Britain's sea power and the emblem of Imperial Germany's eagle being torn to pieces by another lion. Britannia is holding an oak spray with leaves and acorns. Beneath this was a rectangular tablet where the deceased individual's name was cast into the plaque. No rank was given as it was intended to show equality in their sacrifice. On the outer edge of the disk, the words, 'He died for freedom and honour'."
Stewart

[astraltrader]

Thanks Stewart - very much appreciated. I was hoping that a member would be helpful in taking the time to find and post the details.

I think Mr Carter Preston must have been both humbled and proud to have won the award.