Featured WW1 Memorial Death Plaque

Discussion in 'Militaria' started by cxgirl, Jun 28, 2019.

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  1. cxgirl

    cxgirl Well-Known Member

    Hi all,
    I bought this today, I've never seen one before, thought I would share it here. It is 4.7 inches, flat on the back. Have been doing some research on Pte Edward Allen Seeback, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) - signed up November 1916, died August 1918 at the age of 33, never married. I found his gravesite, buried in Tilloy British Cemetery Pas De Calais France
    DSCF4658.jpg DSCF4664.jpg DSCF4660.jpg 566285_1.jpg
     
  2. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    Wow.......so sad.....that's very special! Thank you for posting! I hate wars....
     
  3. SBSVC

    SBSVC Well-Known Member

    CX, I had never seen one before, either. I found this info on an eBay UK listing by seller britishmilitarybadges:

    The Memorial Plaque 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 (which could be described as large plaquettes) 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. 1,355,000 plaques were issued, which used a total of 450 tonnes of bronze, and continued to be issued into the 1930s to commemorate people who died as a consequence of the war. It was decided that the design of the plaque, about 5 inches (120 mm) in diameter and cast in bronze, was to be picked from submissions made in a public competition. Over 800 designs were submitted and the competition was won by the sculptor and medallist Edward Carter Preston with his design called Pyramus, receiving a first place prize of £250. This token includes an image of Britannia holding a trident and standing with a lion. The designer's initials, E.CR.P., appear above the front paw. In her left outstretched left hand Britannia holds an oak wreath above the rectangular tablet bearing the deceased's name cast in raised letters. The name does not include the rank since there was to be no distinction between sacrifices made by different individuals. Two dolphins swim around Britannia, symbolizing Britain's sea power, and at the bottom a second lion is tearing apart the German eagle.

    The reverse is blank, making it a plaquette rather than a table medal. Around the picture the legend reads (in capitals) "He died for freedom and honour", or for the six hundred plaques issued to commemorate women, "She died for freedom and honour". They were initially made at the Memorial Plaque Factory, 54/56 Church Road, Acton, W3, London from 1919. Early Acton-made plaques did not have a number stamped on them but later ones have a number stamped behind the lion's back leg. In December 1920 manufacture was shifted to the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. Plaques manufactured here can be identified by a circle containing the initials 'WA' on the back[1]( The "A is formed by a bar between the two upward stokes of the "W") and by a number stamped between the tail and leg (in place of the number stamped behind the lions back leg). The design was altered slightly during manufacture at Woolwich by Carter Preston since there was insufficient space in the original design between the lion's back paw and the H in "HE" to allow an "S" to be inserted to read "SHE" for the female plaques. The modification was to make the H slightly narrower to allow the S to be inserted. After around 1500 female plaques had been manufactured the moulds were modified to produce the male version by removing the S. The plaques were issued in a pack with a commemorative scroll from King George V; though sometimes the letter and scroll were sent first.

     
  4. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    They were usually issued inside a carded envelope along with the deceased General Service Medals and sent to the widow or parents.
     
  5. cxgirl

    cxgirl Well-Known Member

    It is a sad reminder of war Aquitaine.
    thanks for the information SBSVC and Dave:)
     
  6. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    Fascinating and WONDERFUL information!!!
     
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  7. SBSVC

    SBSVC Well-Known Member

    Aqui, I guess that those of us in the US aren't familiar with these... Considering how many of them were made, I imagine that many in the UK & its "Empire" already know all about them(?)
     
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  8. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    Oh, thanks for posting this @cxgirl . Just catching up with this thread and learning.
     
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  9. Houseful

    Houseful Well-Known Member

    Yes, I saw one when I was about 12 years old that was issued in memorial to a relative. I just remember I thought it was beautiful and very heavy.
     
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  10. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    So many made, you'd think they'd be all over the place, but I don't think I've seen one before.
     
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  11. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

  12. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    Maybe it's too late for the Admins ,it's just your basic troll,bot spammer.
     
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  13. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    Just keep reporting him.
     
  14. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    you think anyone here is gonna click on those links.... u wrong !

    DANGER WILL ROBINSON....DANGER !!!!!!!
     
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  15. cxgirl

    cxgirl Well-Known Member

    ROFLMAO:)
    @daveydempsey will be busy in the morning:)
     
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  16. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    Russian, with 68 posts, deleted and banned for 75 years.:hilarious::hilarious:
     
  17. Phaik Hooi

    Phaik Hooi Well-Known Member

    tq o great moderator :D
     
  18. Christmasjoy

    Christmasjoy Well-Known Member

  19. cxgirl

    cxgirl Well-Known Member

    @Bookahtoo are you around, the Russian is back
     
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  20. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    I can’t think of a more disrespectful thread to be depositing porn! :mad:
     
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