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

Letter that accompanied the 1914 - 1918 Memorial Plaque and scroll presented to the families of allied service personnel who died during or as a result of the First World War. This letter is sent from Buckingham Palace, London and is signed by King George IV.Letterhead inscription consist of a coat of arms and the words BUCKINGHAM PALACE Text is "I join with my grateful people in sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War." Signed by GEORGE Vww1, world war 1, dead mans penny, great war, 1914 1918 memorial plaque, commemorative plaque, kings penny, george v

Official R.S.L Tankard commemorating the involvement of Australian service personnel in World War 1. This tankard has three pictures representing: (1) The Australian Flying Corps over France, 1915 - 1918, (2) HMAS Sydney and the Emden, November 1914, (3) The AIF attack at Lone Pine, Gallipoli, August 1915. (refer item 00124, 00124.2, 00124.3 and 00124.4)tankard, beer mug

Official R.S.L Tankard commemorating the involvement of Australian service personnel in World War 2. This tankard has three pictures representing: (1) HMAS Sydney's sinking of the Bartolomeo Colleoni off Crete, July 1940,, (2) The AIF at El Alemein, October 1942, (3) The RAAF at Milne Bay, August 1942. (refer item 00124, 00124.1, 00124.3 and 00124.4)

Official R.S.L Tankard commemorating the involvement of Australian service personnel in The Korean War. This tankard has three pictures representing: (1) Third Battalion Royal Australian Regiment in Korea, 1950, (2) RAAF Meteors in Korea, (3) HMAS Bataan on patrol off North Korean coast, 1951. (refer item 00124, 00124.1, 00124.2 and 00124.4)

Official R.S.L Tankard commemorating the involvement of Australian service personnel in The Vietnam War. This tankard has three pictures representing: (1) Fifth Battalion Royal Australian Regiment in Vietnam, 1966, (2) RAAF Helicopters in Vietnam, (3) HMAS Hobart off North Vietnam Coast, 1967. (refer item 00124, 00124.1, 00124.2 and 00124.3)

The Official RSL Tankard Collection issued to commemorate the four main conflicts in which Australian service personnel had participated prior to issue in 1983. This limited edition set of four tankards was manufactured by Franklin Mint and was exclusively for RSL members. Each tankard depicts three scenes relating to the particular conflict represented. The tankards are circular and incorporate a handle. Each of these large tankards is made of white glazed porcelain and has a capacity of 0.6 litres. (refer items 00124.1, 00124.2, 00124.3 and 00124.4)

Diamond Valley schools held an ANZAC Day commemorative service at Diamond Valley Secondary College on 23/4/2015. The 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment provided a catafalque party, guest speaker and a display of military memorabilia by the Unit History Room. The medallion was given as a token of appreciation.Bronze coloured 30 mm dia medallion. Obverse - Flaming torch, surrounded by "DIAMOND CREEK SCHOOLS 1915 -2015" Reverse - Monument standing in front of shrubbery. It is mounted on a card which provides a brief story of Australian involvement in WW1, names of Diamond Creek men killed, names of the local schools participating in the ceremony. Medallion and card laminated.

Copper, plated in silver, coin. Obverse: Rising Sun Badge, "Australia", "1914-1918" Reverse: Charging Light Horseman superimposed on Australian flag. "We will remember them", "First World War"

Order of Service, historical notes and admin matters filed in plastic sleeves in spiral bound file.

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