WW1 Memorial Plaque to the next of kin of Major R.S. Dallas
Production date
1919
Country
England
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Object detail
Description
Bronze circular plaque, 120mm in diameter.
Classification
NUMISMATICS (MEDALS AND OTHER) Military Medals ww1
MILITARY Air Force
MEMORIALS War Memorials
TRANSPORT Aviation
MILITARY Navy
MILITARY Air Force
MEMORIALS War Memorials
TRANSPORT Aviation
MILITARY Navy
Production date
1919
Production place
Measurements
Dia: 120 x 4 H MM
Weight 361 GM
Weight 361 GM
Media/Materials description
Bronze (Metals - Non-Ferrous)
Signature/Marks
'HE * DIED * FOR * FREEDOM * AND * HONOUR'.
RODERIC STANLEY DALLAS
RODERIC STANLEY DALLAS
History and use
This memorial plaque was sent to the mother of Roderic Stanley Dallas, who died in combat on1 June 1918, in the skies above Liévin, France. At the time of his death, Major R. S. Dallas, DSO, DSC and bar, Croix De Guerre, was an Australian aviator and the Commanding Officer of 40 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, who was officially credited with destroying 39 enemy aircraft.
About 60,000 memorial plaques were issued to the next of kin of Australian service men and women who died as a result of their service in World War 1. This number included those from the Royal Australia Navy and Australian Army Nursing Service.
In 1916 the British Government had decided to show their official gratitude to the next of kin of the men and women who had died due to their service in the War. In 1917 a competition was held to design a memorial plaque. In March 1918, Edward Carter Preston from Liverpool, UK, won the £250 first prize for his design, and by December of that year the plaques were in production.
Known also as Death Plaque or, due to their resembling a copper coin, Dead Man's Penny, Death Penny, or Widow's Penny, the plaques were originally manufactured in Acton, London, and from December 1920 at the Woolwich Arsenal, England. More than one million were issued to commemorate those active service personnel who had died between 4 August 1914 and 30 April 1920. Each plaque has the name of the deceased embossed upon it. The rank is omitted to indicate that no life given was greater than another.
Early in 1920 it was decided to issue these plaques to the next of kin of Australian service men and women whose deaths were attributed to their participation in World War 1, and in 1922 the first of these memorials were sent from the Base Records Office at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne, Australia.
This plaque was made at the Woolwich Arsenal.
About 60,000 memorial plaques were issued to the next of kin of Australian service men and women who died as a result of their service in World War 1. This number included those from the Royal Australia Navy and Australian Army Nursing Service.
In 1916 the British Government had decided to show their official gratitude to the next of kin of the men and women who had died due to their service in the War. In 1917 a competition was held to design a memorial plaque. In March 1918, Edward Carter Preston from Liverpool, UK, won the £250 first prize for his design, and by December of that year the plaques were in production.
Known also as Death Plaque or, due to their resembling a copper coin, Dead Man's Penny, Death Penny, or Widow's Penny, the plaques were originally manufactured in Acton, London, and from December 1920 at the Woolwich Arsenal, England. More than one million were issued to commemorate those active service personnel who had died between 4 August 1914 and 30 April 1920. Each plaque has the name of the deceased embossed upon it. The rank is omitted to indicate that no life given was greater than another.
Early in 1920 it was decided to issue these plaques to the next of kin of Australian service men and women whose deaths were attributed to their participation in World War 1, and in 1922 the first of these memorials were sent from the Base Records Office at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne, Australia.
This plaque was made at the Woolwich Arsenal.
Associated person
Registration number
N7656.2
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