This round, bronze memorial plaque was presented to the family of Private Richard Evans Harkness, service number 3426, of the 37th Battalion, (8th Reinforcements) who was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux on 12th August, 1918. Colloquially known as 'Dead Man's Penny' or 'King's Penny', this plaque was given to the next of kin of service personnel who died on active service in WW1. 1914-1918 Memorial Plaque In early 1920 it was announced that the next-of-kin of all Australian servicemen and women whose deaths were attributable to the First World War would receive a memorial plaque and scroll "as a solace for bereavement and as a memento". The memorial plaques were not uniquely Australian. In fact they were designed and produced in Britain and issued to commemorate all those who died as a result of war service from within the British Commonwealth. The idea for the plaques was originally conceived mid-way through the war. In 1917 a competition was announced to obtain a suitable design and 800 entries were eventually received. The winner, Mr. E. Carter Preston of Liverpool, England, was chosen in 1918. He was awarded a prize of 250 pounds. Mr Manning Pike directed the manufacture of the memorial plaques at the Memorial Plaque Factory set up at Acton, London. Some later plaques were also made at the Woolwich Arsenal. The cost of manufacturing so many plaques must have been considerable. Each plaque had the name of the soldier commemorated individually embossed (some were engraved) as part of the design. The full name was given without any indication of rank or honours to show the equality of sacrifice of all those who had lost their lives. The scroll designed to accompany the plaques was of thick paper, headed by the royal coat-of-arms, and bore the following message: "He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those that come after see that his name is not forgotten". Underneath the message the serviceman or woman’s name, rank, honours and unit were written by hand in red ink. Because of the late arrival in Australia of the plaques many scrolls were sent out separately. A message from the King, "I join with my grateful people in sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War", was included with the scroll. The first plaques were distributed in Australia in 1922. Each plaque was sent out from Base Records Office at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne by second-class mail. Approximately 60,000 plaques were issued in Australia. Families of deceased members of the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army Nursing Service also received plaques and scrolls This plaque is significant because it commemorates the death of an Australian soldier on active service in World War 1. It is representative of some 60,000 issued to next of kin of soldiers killed in World War 1. Although Richard Harness was living at 52 Victoria Street, Abbotsford when enlisted, together with a scroll from the King, it was donated by a Frankston Family.This round, bronze memorial plaque was presented to the family of Australian Army private Richard Evans Harkness, service number 03426, of the 37th battalion, 8th re-inforcement. Harkness was killed in action on 12th August, 1918, near the French village of Proyart, during the 3rd Division's advance along the Somme Valley. further details can be found here: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51477 Colloquially known as 'Dead Man's Penny' or 'King's Penny', these plaques were awarded to the next of kin of service personnel who died on active service during WW1. refer to link for further information : http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/memorial_scroll/plaque.aspAround the edge are the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' On the righthand side of the plaque is the name of the soldier, in this case Richard Evans Harkness.commemorative, memorial, plaque, dead, man s, penny, king s, richard, evans, harkness

John Simpson Kirkpatrick enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Corps serving as a stretcher bearer at Gallipoli. With the help of a donkey he recovered wounded from the battlefield, often under fire. He was killed in action on 19 May 1915 and was awarded a Mention in Despatches for his act of bravery.Simpson and his donkey has become the most famous of the images arising from Australia's Gallipoli Campaign in the First World WarA small statuette depicting a World War 1 Australian serviceman assisting a wounded comrade who is riding on a donkey. This statuette is made from pewter and symbolises the brave deeds of Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick who, during the early days of the Gallipoli campaign, similarly assisted a number of wounded servicemen. This Army Medical Corps serviceman was a stretcher bearer and commonly known as "Simpson". The statuette is mounted on a stained wooden base which has a small title plate at its front edge.Title plate inscribed "SIMPSON AND HIS DONKEY"

The Africa Star was granted for operational service in North Africa from the date of the entry of Italy into the war on 10 June 1940, up to the date of the cessation of operations against the enemy in North Africa on 12 May 1943. The Africa Star may also be awarded for operational service as a member of the Australian Defence Force during the Syrian Campaign in the period from 8 June 1941 to 11 July 1941. Eligibility This medal is awarded for a minimum of one days operational service in North Africa, west of the Suez Canal between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943 and in Syria between 8 June 1941 and 11 July 1941. The Medal The Africa Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Africa Star'. Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse. The Ribbon The Africa Star ribbon colours represent the desert and the service of the Armies, Naval Forces, Merchant Navy and the Air Forces. Clasps Three clasps were issued for the Africa Star: 8 th Army 1 st Army North Africa 1942-43 Only one clasp is worn and when the ribbon is worn alone a ribbon emblem, ‘8', ‘1' or silver rosette as appropriate is worn to denote the award of a clasp.Full size and miniature Africa Star medals. Miniature has clasps: North Africa 1942-43 8th Army 1st ArmyNo recipient engraved

The 1939-45 Star may be awarded for those who undertook operational service during World War II. Eligibility The 1939-45 Star is awarded for service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 for: a period of six months (180 days) operational service for RAN and Army personnel and RAAF non-air crew personnel a period of two months operational service for air crew personnel a period of six months service at sea for Merchant Navy provided at least one voyage was made through one of the specified areas of active operations The 1939-45 Star is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel. See required evidence to support a claim. The Medal The 1939-45 Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The 1939-45 Star'. Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse. The Ribbon The 1939-45 Star ribbon has three vertical stripes of dark blue, red and light blue. The dark blue stripe represents the Naval Forces and the Merchant Navy, the red stripe the Armies and the light blue stripe the Air Forces. Clasps The ‘BATTLE OF BRITAIN' clasp was awarded to eligible air crew involved in the Battle of Britain. When the ribbon is worn alone a gilt rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of the ‘BATTLE OF BRITAIN' clasp. The ‘BOMBER COMMAND’ clasp was introduced in 2012 and is awarded to eligible Bomber Command aircrew. When the ribbon is worn alone the standard silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of the ‘BOMBER COMMAND’ clasp. Full size and miniature medals with ribbons. Miniature has clasp : Battle of Britainnilmedal 1939-45 star

The War Medal 1939-45 was awarded for full-time service in the Armed Forces, wherever that service may have been rendered during the war. Operational and non-operational service may be counted, providing that it was of 28 days or more duration. Eligibility The War Medal 1939-45 is awarded for 28 days full-time service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. In the Merchant Navy there is a requirement that the 28 days should have been served at sea. A member qualifies for the award where service was brought to an end by death, wounds or other disabilities due to service or by cessation of hostilities on 2 September 1945. The War Medal 1939-45 is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel. See required evidence to support a claim. The Medal The War Medal 1939-45 is cupro-nickel with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has a lion standing on a fallen dragon. The top of the reverse shows the dates 1939 and 1945. The Ribbon The War Medal 1939-45 ribbon colours of red, white and blue represent the colours of the Union Flag. Emblem The single bronze oak leaf Emblem signifying either a Mention in Despatches, King's Commendation for brave conduct, or a King's Commendation for valuable service in the air, will, if granted for service during World War II, be worn on the ribbon of the War Medal 1939-45.Full size and miniature medals with ribbons. Miniature has MID claspnilwar medal 1939-45

The Africa Star was granted for operational service in North Africa from the date of the entry of Italy into the war on 10 June 1940, up to the date of the cessation of operations against the enemy in North Africa on 12 May 1943. The Africa Star may also be awarded for operational service as a member of the Australian Defence Force during the Syrian Campaign in the period from 8 June 1941 to 11 July 1941. This medal is awarded for a minimum of one days operational service in North Africa, west of the Suez Canal between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943 and in Syria between 8 June 1941 and 11 July 1941. Clasps Three clasps were issued for the Africa Star: 8 th Army 1 st Army North Africa 1942-43 Only one clasp is worn and when the ribbon is worn alone a ribbon emblem, ‘8', ‘1' or silver rosette as appropriate is worn to denote the award of a clasp. The Medal The Africa Star is a six–pointed star of yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Africa Star'. Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse. The Ribbon The Africa Star ribbon colours represent the desert and the service of the Armies, Naval Forces, Merchant Navy and the Air Forces. Recipient is not engraved on reverse, so, either a replica or not issued to Australianmedal africa star

The British Army Long Service and Good Conduct medal was instituted in 1830. The medal is made from silver and is 36 millimetres in diameter. Until 1901 the medal's obverse contained an image of a trophy of arms with the Royal Arms in an oval shield in the centre while the reverse side contained the inscription "For Long Service and Good Conduct". The King William IV issue had the Royal Coat of Arms with the badge of Hanover on the obverse and a small suspension ring with a plain crimson ribbon. The small ring was replaced by a larger version in 1831. When Queen Victoria succeeded to the throne in 1837 the Hanover emblem was removed from the medal's obverse. In 1855, during the Crimean War, a swivelling scroll suspension was introduced similar to that on the Crimea Medal, followed in 1874 by small lettering replacing the original large lettering on the reverse side. On the succession of King Edward VII to the throne in 1901, the effigy of the reigning sovereign was placed on the medal's obverse. The reverse side remained unchanged, while in 1920 the swivelling scroll suspension was replaced by a fixed suspender. In 1930 the title of the medal was changed to the Long Service and Good Conduct (Military) Medal. It was also decided to add a fixed suspension bar bearing the text "Regular Army" or the name of a dominion country: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India or South Africa. The medal was originally awarded to soldiers of good conduct who had completed 21 years service in the infantry or 24 years in the cavalry. In 1870, this qualifying period was reduced to 18 years for both the infantry and cavalry. During World War II officers could also be awarded this medal if they had completed at least 12 of their 18 years service in the ranks. Today, the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (Army) is awarded to members of the British Army who have completed 15 years of reckonable service. A soldier who completes 15 years of reckonable service from the date of attestation or age 17½, whichever is later, shall be eligible to receive the medal. However, there are a number of offences which would normally preclude award of the LS&GCM. Awards are only made after a thorough check of a soldier's record of service. A Clasp to the medal was introduced in 1940. This can be awarded for an additional fifteen years' service. The Clasp bears an image of the Army Crest. When the ribbon alone is worn on a uniform a silver rosette denotes the award of the Clasp. The medal's ribbon was plain crimson from 1830 until 1917 when white stripes were added to both edges. An officer can be considered eligible for the award of the LS&GCM if 12 or more of the 15 years of his or her service have been in the ranks and provided that the other requirements for the award of the medal have been met. An Officer shall be eligible for the award of the Clasp if 22 or more of the 30 years of his or her service has been in the ranks and provided that the other requirements have again been met. Before 1 December 1977 18 years of service was required for consideration for the LS&GCM (Army). The vast majority of LS&GC medals are issued named to the recipient, with the name on the rim around the medal.Full size medal with ribbonREGULAR ARMY Recipient details on rim - not decipherablemedal long service good conduct