Dead Man's Penny

I had an interesting visit to the  Ceredigion Museum in Aberystwyth yesterday, to view their collection of First World War memorial plaques, or 'Dead Men's Pennies.'  Before beginning on this project, I had no idea what these were and have since discovered the fascinating story behind them. 

In October 1916, two years before the war ended, the British Government formed a committee to produce a memorial commemorating the servicemen and women whose lives were lost as a result of the war, either in action or by direct cause.  The following year, there was a competition for people to design the proposed bronze plaque, recording the name but not the rank, of a fallen British or Dominion Forces serviceman or woman. The relative named as the “next of kin” in a serviceman's Service Record was sent a form to complete as to whom the plaque and scroll should be sent.

In October 1917 it was announced in The Times newspaper that there would also be an accompanying scroll to the bronze plaque. The winning design by Mr E Carter Preston was published in the same newspaper three days later, on 23rd March.  Production didn't begin until late autumn 1918 because of problems with setting up the manufacture of the bronze plaques and the high quality printed scrolls.  From 1919, an estimated one million plaques and scrolls were issued, with over six hundred of these going to the families of women, 'She' replacing 'He' in the inscription 'He died for freedom and honour.'

Both the scroll and the plaque were typically framed or put away in drawers; some plaques were mounted on the walls of parish churches or added to memorials.  They were - sadly - so common that they they became known popularly as the Death Plaque, Dead Man’s Penny, or Widow’s Penny. 

Many thanks to Ceredigion Museum for the photographs. Further reading on the Dead Men's Pennies can be found on the websites of  The Imperial War Museum  and The Great War 1914-1918