Historical information

The WW1 Memorial Plaque - also known as the Death Penny or Dead Mans Penny - was awarded to personnel killed as a result of war. The Plaque was designed by Edward Carter Preston, Liverpool, United Kingdom. Over 1.3 Million World War One Memorial Plaques were issued. Plaques were awarded to the next of kin of those killed in action and were accompanied by a memorial scroll from the King. They came to be known as the "Dead Man’s Penny", because of the similarity in appearance to the much smaller penny coin which itself had a diameter of only 1.215 inches (30.9 mm). This WW1 Memorial plaque was awarded in the memory of 3638 Edward James Thompson. He served as a Private in the 60th Australian Infantry Battalion and was killed in France on 19 July 1916. The Plaque was provided to his mother, Florence Thompson, on 26 September 1922.

Physical description

Circular bronze plaque. Relief and name of soldier KIA on front. No inscription or relief on obverse side.

Inscriptions & markings

He Died For Freedom and Honour. Edward James Thompson.
Relief containing Britannia holding a wreath, an imperial lion and two small dolphins.
E.CR.P., appear above the front paw