Memorial Medal from World War I,
known as a Dead Man’s Penny
Made of bronze it measures 11cms (or 4.5 in) in diameter. The image includes Britannia holding a trident and an olive wreath with a lion beside her and the words “He died for freedom and honour” around the edge.
The Next of Kin Memorial Plaques, also known as Dead Man’s Penny or Widow’s Penny, were issued after World War One to the next of kin of British Empire personnel who died because of the war. The plaques acknowledged the sacrifice of those that gave their lives in the war and include the name of the casualty on the medal. The plaques were sent along with a scroll and a ‘King’s message’ was enclosed with both, containing a facsimile signature of the King.
Over 1,300,000 plaques and scrolls sent to next of kin from 1919 onwards.
Photo of George J Gerres’s grave in St Catherine’s church cemetery in Towersey
This medal commemorates George Joseph Gerres, who was born on 10th March 1877 in Battersea, London but moved to Towersey, near Thame.
He married Florence Nellie Loveday in 1907 and they had two children, Ernest George Gerres and Hilda Margaret. George served as a private in the Army Service Corps (Service No. S4/197454) and died on the 25 July 1916, aged 39. He is buried in St Catherine’s Church, Towersey, Oxfordshire.
The medal is on display in cabinet 6 in the main gallery.